Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris to have surgery for thyroid cancer

Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris has thyroid cancer and will have surgery to remove the malignant growth.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris has thyroid cancer and will have surgery to remove the malignant growth, he announced Monday. 

Norris asked people to “keep me in your thoughts & prayers as I undergo surgery & come out 100% cancer free!”

In a lengthy Instagram post, Norris explained doctors found a growth on his thyroid after the Blue Jays sent him to Triple A in May. Tests eventually concluded that the growth was cancerous but after receiving second opinion from a doctor he decided to finish the season.

The Blue Jays traded Norris to the Tigers in July as the centerpiece of the deal that sent David Price to Toronto. Detroit added him to the major league roster and he had a 3.68 ERA in eight starts with his new team. In August, he hit a home run in his first career at-bat. 

Norris, 22, was ranked as MLB.com’s No. 17 prospect in baseball before the season. 

- Dan Gartland