Rangers put Moreland on DL, bring up Snyder

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Texas Rangers have replaced Prince Fielder's replacement with a 32-year-old rookie playing first base in the major leagues for the first time.

Mitch Moreland, who will get a second opinion before expected surgery on his left ankle later this week, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. The Rangers selected Brad Snyder's contract from Triple-A Round Rock and he was in the starting lineup at first base against the Miami Marlins.

Snyder played in 20 games for the Chicago Cubs from 2010-11, with his only six starts came in the outfield. He also made 12 appearances as a pinch-hitter and another as a pinch-runner.

In 1,246 minor league games over 12 seasons, Snyder played only two games at first base - his past two games with Round Rock before getting called up by the Rangers.

''He made the plays, he needs some work,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said. ''We're working with everybody else up here, so that will be no different with him.''

Snyder said he has played first base in winter ball, and for a few games in college. But he has previously taken a lot of groundballs and done other work at first.

Fielder, the slugger added in an offseason trade from Detroit and signed through 2020, had a cervical fusion surgery last month.

Moreland will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday to get a second opinion on the left ankle that has bothered him since spring training.

He could have a procedure to remove a bone in the back of the ankle and be out three to four weeks, or reconstructive surgery that would sideline him for three months.

''I don't know what's wrong in there. I'm trying to figure out what's going on and figure out the best route to take to get healthy, so I can get on the field and be ready to go,'' Moreland said Tuesday.

''I knew that surgery was going to be there at the end of the year, what I was trying to get. Obviously I didn't make that point. I tried to though. ... I've been trying to push through it.''

Moreland hit .246 with two homers and 23 RBIs in 52 games.

Snyder, who went to spring training with Texas as a non-roster invitee, hit .284 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs in 61 games for Round Rock. He was second in the Pacific Coast League in homers and runs (46).

To make room on the 40-man roster for Snyder, the Rangers transferred left-hander Matt Harrison from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list. Harrison had spinal fusion surgery June 3.