Taillon has surgery for testicular cancer

LOS ANGELES -- Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon was treated for suspected testicular cancer Monday at Pittsburgh's Allegheny General Hospital, the club announced.
Taillon landed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday with groin discomfort. After alerting the Pirates' medical staff of an abnormality over the weekend, Taillon consulted with Dr. John C. Lyne, who performed the surgery Monday morning. Further treatment will be determined after upcoming tests.
The news loomed heavily in the visitor's clubhouse at Dodger Stadium, but a recurring theme among the reaction of Bucs players was the upbeat, positive support for their teammate.
"He's tough as nails, so he's always going to look for the positive in things," Gerrit Cole said. "Unfortunately it just couldn't have happened to a harder worker, a guy who was prepared to do his job. This can be a really deadly disease, and it takes a strong person to beat it, and that's definitely who he is."

Said manager Clint Hurdle: "It's a choice each of us makes every day in how we handle what comes in front of us, and Jameson continues to choose to take a higher road, to take a positive road, to take an upbeat road.
"He's very mindful of this being his journey. He decided long ago to own everything that happens. When you take ownership of every decision you make, of every act, circumstance that happens to you and work through it in a positive fashion, there's no telling what can happen."
Taillon, known for his resilience and mental toughness, has already overcome considerable adversity in his young career. The 25-year-old sat out all of 2014 after Tommy John surgery, and just as he was nearing a return to the mound, a sports hernia operation again set him back, causing him to miss another full season in 2015.
"Some of these things have kind of come up along his career so far, but there's no doubt that the guy will somehow be better for it," Cole said. "I think he's proven that so far when he's hit speed bumps. We're obviously looking forward to a speedy recovery. We're not completely out of the woods at this point, but praying for him and pulling hard."
The No. 2 overall pick by the Pirates in the 2010 Draft, Taillon has emerged as one of Pittsburgh's top starters since making his big league debut in June 2016. He's 2-1 with a 3.31 ERA and 30 strikeouts through six starts (35 1/3 innings) this season.

Taillon was scheduled to start the Pirates' opener in Los Angeles on Monday. Instead, right-hander Trevor Williams moves from the bullpen to assume Taillon's spot in the rotation. Williams posted a 5.40 ERA through 11 2/3 innings in primarily a long relief role.
"[Taillon is] a strong guy, physically and mentally," Josh Harrison said. "He's got nothing but support from us. We're going to pray him up, love on him and just wait for his recovery. First thing is him being healthy. We're not worried about a timetable for him being able to play. I'm more worried about him as a person, as a son and a friend."