Kinsler to undergo season-ending surgery

Sep 5, 2008 - 3:19 PM DALLAS (Ticker) -- Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler will undergo season-ending sports hernia surgery.

Kinsler, who has been on the disabled list since August 18, had been trying to return without surgery but continued to feel soreness when he tried to run.

Dr. John Preskitt will perform the procedure Thursday.

"The doctor said the progress I was making just wasn't significant enough and if you don't have surgery for this, it's something you're always going to be dealing with," Kinsler told the Dallas Morning News. "It's the only option."

The surgery brings an end to an outstanding season for Kinsler, who is hitting .319 and already has enough at-bats to qualify for the American League batting title. He is fourth in the AL behind Boston's Dustin Pedroia (.330), teammate Milton Bradley (.327) and Minnesota's Joe Mauer (.323).

Kinsler has missed significant time with injuries in each of his first three seasons.