D-backs' Davis has thyroid cancer

03/28/2008 6:56 PM ET
D-backs' Davis has thyroid cancer
Lefty will hold press conference following Friday's start
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

PHOENIX -- The D-backs' excitement about the 2008 season opener was tempered on Friday when they learned that left-hander Doug Davis had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Davis is expected to make his scheduled exhibition start on Friday night and probably will make a couple of regular-season starts before undergoing surgery. He was scheduled to start the club's third game of the year, on Thursday in Cincinnati.

Davis, club officials as well as a doctor will hold a press conference following Friday's game.

Davis, 32, is one of the more popular players in the Arizona clubhouse. His teammates appreciate the hard work he puts into his between-starts program, including extensive video and statistical scouting.

D-backs players were understandably surprised by the news and most declined to comment until after they were able to learn more and until after Davis spoke following the game.

"Obviously, we're all in his corner," closer Brandon Lyon said. "We haven't gotten a chance to sit down and talk to him about it. All of us are just going to support him any way we can."

Davis was acquired by the D-backs from the Brewers in November 2006, and the Phoenix-area resident promptly signed a three-year, $22 million extension that runs through 2009.

"Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with him," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said.

A durable pitcher, Davis was 13-12 with a 4.25 ERA in 33 starts in 2007. It was the fourth straight season in which he posted double-digit wins and pitched 192 or more innings.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Surgery successful for D-backs' Davis
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

PHOENIX -- D-backs left-hander Doug Davis had successful surgery Thursday to remove his cancerous thyroid gland.

"The surgery that was completed this evening by Dr. Bob Evani was very successful. Doug is awake and doing well," team physician Dr. Michael Lee said in a statement released by the team. "The only complaints he had was a mild sore throat, which is expected. He will likely be released [Friday] and will begin follow up treatments at that point."

The D-backs will hold a press conference on Friday to comment further.

Davis was diagnosed with cancer late in March and elected to make two starts before undergoing surgery. He is expected to be away from pitching for at least four to six weeks.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.