ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Rangers All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sports hernia. He could be headed for season-ending surgery.

Kinsler, who was leading the majors with 165 hits and 102 runs, had an MRI today that revealed the problem on the left side of his groin.

He will be examined by a specialist in Dallas, probably on Tuesday.

He said before Monday night's game against the Detroit Tigers that he
hopes he can avoid surgery. But he says he's in pain and can't play and may be out for eight weeks if he has to have surgery.

Texas called up infielder Joaquin Arias from Triple-A Oklahoma take Kinsler's roster spot.

Kinsler said he first felt pain in his groin after making a defensive play in the first inning of Sunday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He remained in the game until the pain intensified while running out a grounder in the seventh and was replaced at the start of the eighth inning.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)