On a day needing no further reminder that there are bigger things than baseball, the Orioles announced Trey Mancini underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his colon.
The tumor was discovered during a colonoscopy last week, which prompted the 27-year-old outfielder and first baseman to leave the team last weekend in preparation for “a non-baseball-related medical procedure.” The surgery was described as “successful” in a statement released by the organization, but lab results and the timetable for his recovery won’t be known until next week.
“The outpouring of love and support I have received has made an extremely tough week so much better,” Mancini said in a statement. “I have the best family, friends, fans, and teammates imaginable. I am also eternally thankful for the Orioles front office, our athletic trainers, and the entire medical staff for everything they have done to help me during this time.
“Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words, which have furthered my excitement to get back to playing the game I love.”
Mancini felt ill during the early stages of spring training and last appeared in a Grapefruit League game on March 2, but the organization remained tight-lipped on details out of respect to its star player after he left Sarasota last weekend. Players expressed their concern and support for an unspecified ailment, raising outside concern for Mancini’s health.
Turning 28 next week, Mancini was voted the 2019 Most Valuable Oriole after hitting .291 and setting career highs with 35 home runs, 38 doubles, 97 runs batted in, and an .899 on-base plus slugging percentage last season. Finishing third in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2017, the right-handed slugger has clubbed 86 home runs since making his major league debut late in 2016, becoming the leader of a rebuilding club short on name recognition.
Highly respected by teammates and coaches as a player and person, Mancini is active in the community and even took over former Orioles star Adam Jones’ charity tailgate event last year.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure Trey recovers fully, and we can’t wait to see him back on the field as soon as possible,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said in a statement.
The news came just two hours after Major League Baseball announced the cancellation of the remainder of spring training games as well as the decision to delay the start of the regular season for at least two weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Baltimore had been scheduled to host the New York Yankees for Opening Day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 26.
