Report: Mariners' Kendall Graveman diagnosed with benign bone tumor
Seattle Mariners pitcher Kendall Graveman has been diagnosed with a bone tumor in the C6 part of his cervical spine, according to The Seattle Times. The tumor is benign and will require a surgery but not in the immediate future, with doctors telling Graveman it will not worsen despite inflammation.
The Mariners signed the 29-year-old right-hander to a one-year $1.5 million contract last year. Graveman has been on the injured list with neck spasms related to the tumor since August, but is expected to make a return later this season despite having to likely play through pain. He had started this season in Seattle's rotation and made two starts before going on the IL.
The tumor scare, which first revealed itself in 2018, made Graveman "very emotional," according to The Times. He called the process "draining mentally and emotionally."
"This is just me being honest and open," Graveman told the newspaper. "I'm not here to hide anything. That's what we're dealing with. That's what we're faced with. I just continue to hope that there is relief in the future and continue to pitch and pitch through it. They say it can't get any worse. It doesn't grow. It doesn't spread. So, right now, medically, that's what that's what I'm dealing with."
Graveman had Tommy John surgery that kept him out for a majority of the 2018 season and all of the 2019 campaign. Graveman previously played for the Oakland Athletics from 2015-18 and started with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014. He has a career record of 23-31 with 296 career strikeouts in 454.2 innings pitched.
Contributing: The Associated Press.