Does Juan want fluid gone?

Rangers' Gonzalez to decide on procedure

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Texas Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez must decide if he wants to have a procedure to drain a pocket of fluid that was discovered near his injured right calf.

Trainer Jamie Reed said draining the fluid would speed up Gonzalez's recovery from the calf injury that has kept the two-time AL MVP on the disabled list since July 23.

Rangers spokesman John Blake said Saturday that Gonzalez hadn't indicated if he would have the procedure.

Reed said it could be scheduled as early as Monday. The short procedure would entail sticking a needle into the affected area to drain the fluid.

Gonzalez had an MRI exam on his calf Tuesday, but an ultrasound Friday revealed the fluid.

Reed said Friday night after the Rangers played the Chicago White Sox that Gonzalez wanted a couple of days to weigh his options before making a decision.

Gonzalez has struggled with injuries since rejoining the Rangers before the 2002 season.

He tore muscle fibers in his right thumb during the first week of last season and played just 70 games before missing the final two months because of the same injury.

Gonzalez missed 10 games in a 16-game stretch in June with a sore right elbow, a tight left groin and a sore right quadriceps muscle.

In June, Gonzalez invoked his no-trade clause and rejected a deal that would have sent him to the Montreal Expos.

He is hitting .294 with 24 home runs and 70 RBIs in 82 games this season.

 

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