Josh Geer, who made 22 starts for the Padres between 2008 and ’09, is back competing for a job with San Diego this spring after missing most of last season following surgery to deal with skin cancer.
MLB.com has the story.
After making two Triple-A starts, Geer was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma last April. Surgery to remove lymph nodes followed, leaving him with 25 staples in his neck and a lengthy rehabilitation. He has been cancer-free since the surgery.
“It was a long year this last year, but I’m right on schedule now and with everything behind me,” Geer said. “I’m past it all and looking ahead to the future.”
Geer went 3-8 with a 5.28 ERA in 129 2/3 innings for the Padres in his two major league seasons. After all of the missed time, the 28-year-old doesn’t have a realistic chance of breaking camp with the team this spring. He could be part of the Triple-A rotation, though. Regardless, he’s just happy to be around and competing.
“You look at life differently,” he said. “I’m very fortunate. I’m very blessed in many ways.”
