Ron Darling Diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer After Surgery to Remove Mass on Chest

New York Mets broadcaster and former MLB pitcher Ron Darling announced Monday that he has thyroid cancer. In a statement (via the New York Post), he said:

"After the removal of the mass on my chest along with further tests, I have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. My doctors have said they are optimistic that the cancer is treatable and that I would be back on air talking baseball in the next month or so. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their continued support."

Darling has served as a Mets color commentator since 2006, pairing with Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez on SNY.

He also does national broadcasts for TBS and serves as an offseason analyst for the MLB Network.

He's been on a medical leave of absence from the broadcasting booth since mid-April to have surgery on the mass in his chest.

Darling, 58, spent 13 seasons as an MLB starting pitcher, playing for the Mets (1983-91), Montreal Expos (1991) and Oakland Athletics (1991-95). He was 136-116 in his career with a 3.87 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 1,590 strikeouts in 2,360.1 innings.

He was an All-Star in 1985, a Gold Glove winner in 1989 and won a World Series with the Mets in 1986.