Terry Ryan made a surprise visit to Florida to visit the Twins during spring training despite being in the middle of radiation treatment, MLB.com reports.
The 60-year-old general manager of Minnesota’s MLB team was diagnosed with cancer in February. He had surgery to remove a form of skin cancer from his neck shortly after, and got positive news at a follow-up exam. But when the news came out, he said he would not be heading down to Fort Myers.
So when he came by Hammond Stadium Friday, his presence was met with some surprise.
Big surprise down here. Terry Ryan has arrived for the weekend
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) March 21, 2014
#MNTwins GM Terry Ryan made the rounds in the clubhouse today. Lots of smiles on the players' faces seeing him for first time since surgery.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) March 22, 2014
Ryan took in the end of Friday’s 9-1 loss to the Mets, and according to the Star Tribune planned to be around for Saturday’s game against the Yankees. He’ll also tour a multimillion dollar renovation project and meet with each player one-by-one, the paper says.
Beat writer Lavelle E. Neal III described Ryan as “a tad thinner but still quick-witted.”
“I decided it was probably a good thing and important to come down here and show everybody that I’m still engaged,” Ryan said, according to MLB.com. “I’m not sure what the right decision is. But I have to go back because I have radiation five days a week from Monday to Friday. So, I can’t stay long. As much as I’d like to be here at least a week, I can’t, and I have to leave tomorrow.”
The Pioneer Press says Ryan has been going to his Target Field office after treatments at the Mayo Clinic, and has kept up with the team’s progress through TV broadcasts. But he’s still handing trade inquiries over to assistant GM Rob Antony for the time being.
The paper also notes Ryan said he’s gained back some of the weight he lost after being on a feeding tube following the surgery.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Ryan added. “I’m optimistic things are moving in the right direction, there’s no doubt about that.”
The team’s most recent personnel move came Friday – the Twins placed Vance Worley on waivers and was he outrighted to AAA Rochester, clearing the way for young gun Kyle Gibson to be the rotation’s fifth starter. He joins Ricky Nolasco, Phil Hughes, Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey.
