SEATTLE (AP) – Seattle Mariners third-base coach Jeff Datz says he has been diagnosed with cancer and might be away from the team for part of the season.
Datz told Mariners’ players during a team meeting on Saturday afternoon and later released a written statement. Datz said he’s still in the process of making decisions on treatment and he might have to miss some games. Datz said he released the statement because he doesn’t want his absence to be a distraction. He declined further comment until decisions on timing and treatment have been made.
The type of cancer was not disclosed.
The 53-year-old Datz is in his third season with the Mariners. He previously worked on coaching staffs with Baltimore and Cleveland. As a player, Datz reached the majors only once, playing in seven games with Detroit in 1989.
Add A Comment