Veteran reliever Tyler Duffey revealed today that he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous mole from his left shoulder last week (link via Anne Rogers of MLB.com). Duffey fortunately said that testing after the surgery has come back negative, although he’ll continue to undergo periodic check-ups over the next few months. Bally Sports Kansas City provides video of his media session on X.
Duffey noted the skin spot to doctors when he reported for his intake physical as a non-roster invitee with the Royals. He underwent a biopsy that revealed it to be melanoma last Monday. Duffey nevertheless pitched a scoreless inning against the Cubs before going in for surgery to remove what remained of the cancerous tissue the following day. He hasn’t pitched since then but was cleared to begin light baseball activities today, Rogers writes. Duffey is hopeful of getting back into games before the conclusion of Spring Training.
An understandably emotional Duffey revealed that both his parents had had cancer. He told reporters that his decision to publicize his diagnosis is to encourage others to be vigilant. “We’re in the sun a lot. We’re outside always, often not even thinking about it, sitting in a bullpen. … It takes nothing to get checked, I guess that’s the biggest thing I’ve taken from it. It’s no effort other than showing up.”
A longtime division rival of the Royals, Duffey has spent the majority of his career with the Twins. He worked in a high-leverage role for Minnesota between 2019-21, combining for a 2.69 ERA in 144 appearances over that stretch. Duffey stumbled to a 4.91 mark in 2022. He spent most of last season in the minors, although he returned to the big leagues for a two-inning appearance with the Cubs in the final weekend of the year. Duffey inked a non-roster pact with Kansas City in December and is battling for a job in the relief corps this spring. MLBTR sends our best wishes.