Darling says he has thyroid cancer; Rays’ Font acquired
Ron Darling has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, the former majorleague pitcher with the Mets and current SNY analyst announced Monday.
“My doctors have said they are optimistic that the cancer is treatable and that I would be back on air talking baseball in the next month or so,” Darling said in a statement. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their continued support.”
Darling has been on a leave of absence since midApril, after he announced that he needed surgery to remove a “large mass” in his chest. He said in Monday’s statement that the diagnosis of thyroid cancer came after that mass was removed and further tests were performed.
“I’ll kick its you-knowwhat,” Darling said on the air before his leave began. “I’m really reporting this for (Keith Hernandez) to know he’s going to have to do some extra games.”
On Monday, Hernandez tweeted his support for his former teammate and current boothmate.
“My heart goes out to Ron Darling,” he wrote. “I know that Ron will beat this insidious disease. I’m heartened to hear that his doctors are very optimistic for a full recovery. I will stop at my church this day and light a candle for Ron and his entire family. I look forward to RJ’s return.”
Darling pitched for the Mets in nine of his 13 bigleague seasons, going 15-6 with a 2.81 ERA in 1986 to help the Mets win the World Series.
“Upon receiving today’s update on Ron’s prognosis, we are comforted to know that his condition is treatable and look forward to seeing him back on the air soon,” the Mets said in a statement.
Darling also is being sued by 1986 Mets teammate Lenny Dykstra over a passage in his new book,
“108 Stitches: Loose Threads, Ripping Yarns, and the Darndest Characters from My Time in the Game.” Darling called Dykstra “one of baseball’s all-time thugs” and said Dykstra shouted racist insults at Red Sox pitcher Oil Can Boyd before Game
3 of the 1986 World Series. Dykstra said in the lawsuit that that never happened.
METS ACQUIRE WILMER FONT FROM RAYS
In a minor move that underscores their need for majors-worthy arms, the Mets agreed to acquire right-hander Wilmer Font from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named or cash, the team announced on Monday afternoon.
Font, a journeyman swingman who turns 29 this month, joins the Mets at a time of uncertainty for their pitching staff — starters Steven Matz and Jason Vargas are facing seemingly minor injuries and the bullpen is thinned by physical issues for Jeurys Familia, Justin Wilson and Luis Avilan.
The Mets are Font’s fourth team since the start of the 2018 season. He spent last year with the Dodgers, A’s and Rays. Across parts of five major-league seasons, Font has a 6.51 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 37 games (five starts).
This season, Font had a
5.79 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in
10 relief appearances for the Rays.
With the Mets likely needing a starter Wednesday in place of Matz, who is dealing with a nerve issue in his left forearm, Font could plug that hole. He was a starter for most of his minor-league career and took five turns in the rotation for the Rays last year, posting a 1.71 ERA.
Font throws a mid-90s fastball, plus a mid-80s changeup and mid-to-high
70s curveball. And some of his peripheral numbers, including a 30-percent strikeout rate and 3.50 FIP, are encouraging. But he hasn’t been able to put it together since breaking into the majors as a 22-year-old with the Rangers in 2012.
Out of minor-league options, Font has to be added to the Mets’ majorleague roster.