Orioles’ Davis Undergoes Surgery For Colon Cancer
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Eric Davis had a cancerous tumor removed from his colon last week and is expected to make a complete recovery, although follow-up treatment could keep him sidelined the rest of the season.
Dr. Keith Lillemoe said Tuesday night that all the cancer in the colon was removed during last Friday’s operation. The tumor, which was roughly the size of a baseball, was cut away before Lillemoe sewed the colon back together.
However, doctors are discussing the possible role of chemotherapy to make sure the disease is kept in check.
“I’d say he has a favorable prognosis. We’re very optimistic,” said Lillemoe, adding that he will recommend chemotherapy.
The 35-year-old Davis, in a statement, said, “I am feeling well and looking forward to making a complete recovery… . I hope to be back on the playing field as soon as I can.”
Davis last played on May 25 and was hitting .302 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs when he went on the DL.
Senate panel studies antitrust
The Senate Judiciary Committee held yet another hearing Tuesday on baseball’s antitrust exemption.
The difference was that this time owners and players have agreed on language that would partially eliminate the exemption, but only as it affects major league players.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the committee, noted the efforts by players and baseball executives to negotiate terms of a bill and said lawmakers were interested in working with the two sides. Once he receives the proposal agreed to by the players and the owners, he would consider passing that bill rather than the one he has introduced.
Jaha lost for season
The Milwaukee Brewers’ feeble offense was jolted once more with word that slugger John Jaha will miss the rest of the season following surgery on his left shoulder.
“This stinks,” said second baseman Fernando Vina, himself recovering from an injury that has cost him two months. “We lose all that power from our lineup.”
Jaha, Milwaukee’s only power hitter, had hoped the operation by orthopedic specialist Frank Jobe in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning would reveal only a frayed labrum - the cartilage of the glenoid cavity in the front of the shoulder - and that he’d miss no more than three weeks.
Without Jaha, who had 34 homers and 118 RBIs last year, manager Phil Garner said the Brewers and their fans will have to get used to seeing more games like Monday’s 1-0 victory over St. Louis when Milwaukee managed just four hits.