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Jon Lester Returns to Red Sox After Bout with Cancer
Pitcher Jon Lester returns to the Boston Red Sox rotation tonight in Cleveland. (AP Images)
On August 31, 2006, it was reported that Boston Red Sox southpaw Jon Lester had been diagnosed with enlarged lymph nodes and was being tested for a variety of ailments, including forms of cancer. Doctors soon confirmed that Lester has a treatable form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Lester was 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 15 starts before his 2006 season was cut short.
In December, Lester's CT Scan showed no signs of the disease, which now appears to be in remission.
Tonight, after going 4-5 with a 3.61 ERA during 17 minor-league starts, the 23-year-old returns to the big leagues in a game against the Cleveland Indians.
"I don't think it really has sunk in yet, and I don't think it will sink in until (today) when I get on the mound," Lester told Pawtucket radio announcer Steve Hyder. "It's been hard getting treated like you're in a glass bottle, so it will be nice to finally break through it and get to go pitch again."
Win or lose, veteran Curt Schilling knows Lester's return to baseball means more than the game itself.
"Apart from all the baseball stuff, he's part of the family. It's a phenomenally great story to see him healthy, back on his feet, doing well," said Schilling. "He's cancer-free. It's an awesome day."
Jake Westbrook (1-5, 6.07) will start for the Indians in search of his first win in nearly two months. The right-hander is 0-3 in six starts since beating Baltimore on April 27. All three of those losses have come after he returned from a six-week stint on the disabled list because of a strained abdominal muscle.
Oddsmakers currently have the Indians listed as 128-moneyline favorites versus the Red Sox, while the game's total is sitting at 10 ½.