MLB

Orioles' star Trey Mancini has malignant tumour removed from colon

Baltimore Orioles star Trey Mancini underwent surgery Thursday to remove a malignant tumour from his colon. One of few bright spots for the rebuilding Orioles last season, he hit .291 with 35 home runs.

Outfielder/1st baseman batted .291 with 35 homers, 97 RBI last season

Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini, coming off a 35-homer season in which he batted .291, had surgery this week to remove a malignant tumour from his colon. (Mark Blinch/Getty Images/File)

Baltimore Orioles star Trey Mancini underwent surgery Thursday to remove a malignant tumour from his colon.

The tumour was discovered last week during a colonoscopy, team officials said. Lab results and the timetable for Mancini's recovery will not be known until next week.

Mancini left the team on Saturday. The Orioles provided few details at the time, except to say he was slated to undergo "a non-baseball medical procedure."

In a statement released by the team Thursday, Mancini said, "The outpouring of love and support I have received has made an extremely tough week so much better. … 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, who turns 28 next Wednesday, batted .291 with 35 home runs and 97 runs batted in last season while playing the outfield, at first base and as a designated hitter. He also had a career-best .364 on-base percentage.

Mancini was one of few bright spots for the rebuilding Orioles last season. In addition to playing in 154 games and leading the team in homers and RBIs, Mancini played the role of clubhouse leader on a team filled with youthful players.

Though Baltimore has lost more than 100 games in each of the last two years, Mancini has been a standout offensively. In 2018, his second full season, he hit 24 home runs over 156 games.

Mancini made $575,500 US last year. After reaching career highs in homers and RBI, he was given a raise to $4.75 million in 2020.

"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," general manager Mike Elias said.