Connor Joe was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire

Dodgers prospect Connor Joe diagnosed with testicular cancer

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 3/18/20

While the coronavirus has swept the nation and its sports leagues, a Los Angeles Dodgers prospect has received some heartbreaking news of a different sort.

Connor Joe, a prospect in the Dodgers organization, announced on Instagram Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with testicular cancer after leaving spring training about three weeks ago due to health concerns.

View this post on Instagram

As some of you may know, I made the difficult decision to leave Spring Training 3 weeks ago to attend to personal matters. After some tests and visits with doctors, I unfortunately learned that I have Testicular Cancer. The good news is that we caught it early, and cases like mine are very curable. I have started treatment, underwent surgery yesterday and am in my recovery process now. I recognize the road ahead may be challenging and uncomfortable at times, but God is good and I am staying positive for a quick and full recovery. I am extremely grateful for my wonderful family, friends, the Dodgers organization and teammates for their incredible love and support during this difficult time. Although we tend to shy away from these topics, I am sharing my journey in the hope that this brings more awareness to Men’s Health, and can help others as a result. Thank you again for your continued support, it means the world to me and my family. I will keep you updated on my path to recovery. I look forward to being back in the game as soon as I am able. Trusting in His plan.

A post shared by Connor Joe (@connor__joe) on Mar 18, 2020 at 8:48am PDT

He mentioned in his Instagram post that his goal during this difficult time is to bring more awareness to men's health.

The 27-year-old made 15 plate appearances for the San Francisco Giants in 2019, recording one hit and one run with a .067 batting average and a .192 OPS.

He played much better in Triple-A Oklahoma, averaging .300 at the plate with a .929 OPS, 15 home runs and 68 RBI.

Joe was drafted 39th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of San Diego.

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