Injuries may force Rangers to reevaluate roster

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Rangers' rash of injuries has not put general manager Jon Daniels in a position to consider being "sellers" at the July 31 Trade Deadline. That has been the speculation by the national media, especially after Prince Fielder was lost for the season after undergoing neck surgery on Tuesday.

"Same as we always were ... we're in May," Daniels said. "The players aren't giving up, and we certainly aren't either. Obviously, we have been dealt some challenges and we're taking them as we come. We'll continue to evaluate it and let it play out. We'll make adjustments if we have to, but we're not getting ahead of ourselves."

The Rangers have several players who are in contractual situations annually associated with players dealt at the Trade Deadline. Pitcher Joakim Soria and outfielder Alex Rios are both free agents after this season, although the Rangers hold options on both for next season. Pitchers Colby Lewis and Joe Saunders are unconditional free agents after this season.

Elvis Andrus has also been mentioned because of the Rangers' perceived depth of young infielders. But Andrus has a more complicated contract negotiated by agent Scott Boras. Andrus agreed to an eight-year, $120 million contract extension that starts in 2015 at $15 million annually. But he also has the option of getting out of the contract after '18 or '19.

Fielder underwent surgery to have a cervical fusion in his neck to repair a herniated disk. Dr. Drew Dossett told the Rangers that the surgery went well and a full recovery is expected. Recovery time is three to four months, but the Rangers aren't expecting Fielder to return this season.