Braves' Galarraga Has Cancer

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 18, 1999 / 4:43 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Atlanta Braves first baseman Andres Galarraga has a cancerous tumor in his back and will miss the 1999 season.

The tumor is in a small bone in Galarraga's back, Dr. Lee Kelley said Thursday. Kelley said the potential for recovery is good.

Galarraga will undergo six months of treatment, which will include chemotherapy followed by radiation, Kelley said during a news conference.

The 37-year-old Galarraga, a native of Venezuela who lives in West Palm Beach, Fla., was diagnosed with cancer Wednesday following tests at Atlanta's Piedmont hospital.

"In this case, it's isolated to a small bone in his lower back and we expect his treatment to be successful," Kelley said.

Kelley said Galarraga hurt his back last fall near the end of the season, and was treated for what appeared to be a strained back. He seemed to be recovering but had persistent pain that limited his running and hitting.

The doctor said he asked Galarraga to come to Atlanta on Feb. 1 for an examination.

Galarraga, who signed a $24.75 million, three-year contract with the Braves before the 1998 season, hit .305 with 44 homers and 121 RBI last year.

The 13-year veteran, who also has played with Montreal, St. Louis and Colorado, has a .290 career average with 332 homers and 1,172 RBI.

Ryan Klesko is expected to replace Galarraga at first, the position Klesko played in the minor leagues. Otis Nixon, signed as a free agent on Dec. 1, and Gerald Williams are expected to share time in left field.

Galarraga plans to go home to West Palm Beach in a few days and will begin treatment immediately.