Guardians reliever Nic Enright, battling lymphoma, earns emotional first save
Enright, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in late 2022 and is scheduled to complete his treatments later this year, allowed an unearned run in the 10th inning Monday night to close out the Cleveland Guardians' 7-6 win over the New York Mets.
'He was almost crying on the field just now,' Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. 'If you read his story, it's pretty inspirational.'
Cleveland selected Enright in the 20th round of the 2019 amateur draft out of Virginia Tech. He received his diagnosis Dec. 22, 2022 — 15 days after the Miami Marlins took him in the Rule 5 draft.
After four rounds of immunotherapy in early 2023, Enright made nine minor league rehab appearances for the Marlins before being designated for assignment and returning to the Guardians in late May.
He missed most of last season due to a right shoulder strain, but went 2-1 with a 1.06 ERA in 16 appearances with Triple-A Columbus.
The right-hander has one more round of cancer treatment scheduled for November.
'I made the decision when I was diagnosed in 2022 with Hodgkin lymphoma that I wasn't going to let that define my life and dictate how I was going to go about my life,' Enright said. 'It's something where, for anyone else who is going through anything similar, (it shows) I haven't just holed up in my house and felt sorry for myself this whole time.'
Enright made his major league debut May 25 and has a 2.01 ERA in 19 appearances for the Guardians, whose bullpen is in flux with All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase on paid leave as part of a sports gambling investigation.
Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith pitched the eighth and ninth innings Monday before Enright entered with a two-run lead. He gave up a two-out RBI single to Brett Baty before retiring Luis Torrens on a fly out to the warning track in right.
'I definitely held my breath as I saw Nolan (Jones) kind of keep running,' Enright said. 'But I had faith. As he kind of got closer to the wall, I realized it was losing steam.'
Enright was showered with beer by teammates in the locker room.
'I was so happy, oh, I was going nuts in here,' Guardians starting pitcher Slade Cecconi said with a smile. 'I was going absolutely berserk. He came in running up the stairs, smile on his face.'
Enright thanked his wife, his parents and the rest of his family for their support throughout an interview at his locker. He got the ball from the final out and plans to set aside his uniform and hat as well as a lineup card.
'Really, really cool,' Enright said. 'These last couple of years, especially, I've gone through a lot of adversity and just everything that's gone on. And so for me, it's being able to reflect on those in these moments. I think that helps being able to slow the game down. Because it hasn't exactly been a red-carpet rollout for my career trajectory.'
___
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
6 minutes ago
- USA Today
Florida RHP Christian Rodriguez ends strong summer as Harwich Mariners top pitcher
Florida Gators right-handed reliever Christian Rodriguez capped off his All-Star summer with the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League with the Al Graeber Outstanding Pitcher Award. Named after the team's beloved PA announcer from 1971–1993, the Graeber Award recognizes the Mariners' top pitcher each season. "The Mariners' de facto closer, C-Rod, was lights out from the bullpen," a press release announcing the team awards reads. "His 26 strikeouts led the team and (ranked) third in the league among pitchers with zero starts. He ended the summer with a 0.93 ERA in 19.1 innings, rising to the occasion whenever the team needed him most. He also led the team with three saves." "My time here with Harwich has been unbelievable," Rodriguez told Gators Wire. "I've met so many great players and coaches and have played against a lot of talented guys. It has been one of the best summers in my life, and I'm super grateful and honored to play in this league." Rodriguez is an early candidate to replace Jake Clemente as Florida's closer. He emerged as one of the more reliable bullpen arms in Gainesville this season, throwing 23 2/3 innings over 22 appearances. A 5.32 ERA and 6.29 FIP leave something to be desired, but Rodriguez was coming back from Tommy John surgery as a true freshman. Now completely healthy and more than a year removed from the injury, Rodriguez is looking like the pitcher Florida signed out of high school. Rodriguez was the heart of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas 2023 state championship team, following in the footsteps of Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony and former Florida Gators Chris Arroyo and Jake Clemente. He hit .359/.474/.692 with six home runs as a senior. On the mound, Rodriguez was among the nation's best with a 0.69 ERA and 0.50 WHIP over 70 2/3 innings. He struck out 117 while walking just 65. Rodriguez ran his fastball up to 97 mph out of high school, but his changeup has always been the kind of secondary pitch that elite closers utilize. Often referred to as a "Bugs Bunny" changeup because of its pull-the-string movement down in the zone and 15 mph difference from the fastball, Rodriguez has already shown flashes of dominance against SEC bats with it. His 50% flyball rate feels a bit high for a pitcher who relies on a changeup so often, but a 28.7% strikeout rate is strong. Rodriguez enters the fall as one of the veterans of Florida's pitching staff. Luke McNeillie and Billy Barlow have more innings under their belt, and Caden McDonald is in a similar position. Expect to hear those four names out of the bullpen quite often. "What I'm looking forward to the most about going back to Florida is just getting there and grinding again," he said. "I think we have a great team with some new guys coming that I'm extremely excited for, and hopefully we make a run this year." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
David Bednar goes longer than expected for his 1st Yankees save to end their 5-game skid
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — David Bednar got his first save for the New York Yankees after going a little longer than expected, and ended their five-game losing streak before going home. Bednar got the final five outs, all on strikeouts, in their 3-2 win at Texas on Wednesday. The game-ending one came with two runners on base after manager Aaron Boone had gone to the mound with the intention of pulling the right-hander that New York acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline last Thursday. 'I said, 'I'm going to take you here.' And he gave me a look like, no you're not,' Boone said. 'He absolutely wanted the ball and, you know, felt like his stuff was still there. ... What a great, gutsy effort." Bednar's 18th save overall this season came in his third appearance for the Yankees (61-54), who remained ahead of Texas for the American League's third and final wild-card spot. They have a day off before opening a three-game series against AL West-leading Houston at home on Friday night after Bednar's first two series with New York were on the road. Bednar had two strikeouts to end the eighth and two more to open the ninth before Corey Seager walked on six pitches and Marcus Semien grounded a 3-1 pitch through the right side of the infield for a single. Bednar, already at a season-high 36 pitches and with cleanup hitter Adolis García headed to the plate, initially didn't see his new manager walking toward him. 'I was just kind of getting my mind right to face García,' Bednar said. 'I told (Boone) I wanted him and, you know, he agreed. And I just wanted to bear down and get that last one.' Bednar struck out García, finishing with a season-high 42 pitches for his most since 43 in an eight-out save for the Pirates at St. Louis on June 15, 2022. It was the third time this season Bednar recorded five outs, and the second in his week with the Yankees. 'That was awesome, especially that last one,' said Paul Goldschmidt, whose pinch-hit solo homer in the seventh broke a 2-2 tie. 'To go out out there and make those pitches was huge.' ___
Newsweek
7 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Twins All-Star Starting Pitcher Tagged As Offseason Trade Candidate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Minnesota Twins blew it up with a flurry of trades that saw 10 players from their major league squad traded at the deadline. Surviving the onslaught of trades was Joe Ryan, who remained in Minnesota despite being one of the more valuable trade chips that they had. Ryan will be entering the offseason with two years of team control remaining, and if the Twins are content with continuing their teardown, R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports believes he could be on the move. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 6: Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins pitches in the first inning of the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field on April 6, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 6: Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins pitches in the first inning of the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field on April 6, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by"Ryan, a savvy addition originally gained through the Nelson Cruz trade, has developed into an above-average starter with a dominant fastball," Anderson wrote. "His name popped up at the deadline, and if he's made available he's certain to draw a crowd." Ryan's name did appear in several rumors around the trade deadline, and if the Twins had more time, he might have been the next to go. The right-hander has developed into a solid starting pitcher, earning himself an All-Star appearance this season. With two more seasons of team control, he could net a healthy return to kick-start the Twins' rebuild. The Twins have seemingly chosen a path for the future, and with Ryan set to be a free agent in 2027, it is unlikely that they will open a competitive window during his tenure without an extension. The Minnesota right-hander has produced a career-best 2.83 ERA and impressive strikeout numbers; many teams would be clamoring for his services if he were made available. Similar to Ryan, Pablo López is entering the final two seasons of his contract, and if the Twins listen to Ryan, they could listen to their other right-handed starter. With the Twins headed for a ground-zero rebuild, Ryan could be the first of many names they look to move on from in the upcoming offseason. More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Extend Rookie Outfielder On $130 Million Contract
