Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Hess has announced that he is set to undergo chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer.
The 28-year-old - who was assigned to Minor League outfit Triple-A Durham following his return to the Rays this summer - confirmed the news on social media and will begin treatment to "shrink and hopefully eradicate" the tumor next week.
Hess wrote on Twitter: "Life has a way of throwing you things you never expected to happen. About a week ago I went to the emergency room with major chest tightness and severe shortness of breath.
"After some scans, blood work, and time at the hospital we learned that I had a cancerous germ cell tumor sitting in the center [of] my chest pressing majorly against my heart and lungs. Today we got the final diagnosis and treatment plan that has chemo starting up on Monday to shrink and hopefully eradicate the tumor entirely.
"As we've started on this journey we've had people circle around us and shower us with love, prayers, and support in ways that have been so amazing I don't think we can even put into words how grateful my family and I are.
"As we get ready to go into this treatment time, we are confident this will all be gone from my body and I'll be back doing what I love on a baseball field soon and be healthy while doing it. This is just the beginning of a great story."
Hess previously spent time in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins, posting a 6-22 win-loss record since his MLB debut in May 2018.
Ben Knapton
