The first save in Nic Enright’s career was particularly significant. Enright, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in late 2022 and is scheduled to complete his treatments later this year, pitched a scoreless inning in the tenth inning on Monday night to close out the Cleveland Guardians’ 7-6 victory over the New York Mets.
Cleveland selected Enright in the 20th round of the 2019 amateur draft from Virginia Tech. He received his diagnosis on December 22, 2022, 15 days after the Miami Marlins selected him in the Rule 5 draft. After four rounds of immunotherapy in early 2023, Enright made nine rehabilitation appearances in the minor leagues 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 strain in his right shoulder, but he went 2-1 with a 1.06 ERA in 16 appearances with Triple-A Columbus. The right-handed pitcher is scheduled for another round of cancer treatment in November.I was almost crying on the field right now. If you read his story, it’s quite inspiring.
Stephen Vogt, Guardians manager
Enright made his major league debut on May 25 and has an ERA of 2.01 in 19 appearances with the Guardians, whose bullpen is in flux with All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase on paid leave as part of an investigation into sports betting. Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith pitched the eighth and ninth innings on Monday before Enright came in with a two-run lead. He allowed a run-scoring single by Brett Baty with two outs before retiring Luis Torrens on a fly ball to the warning track in right field.I made the decision when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2022 not to let that define my life and dictate how I was going to live my life. It’s something that, for anyone going through something similar, [shows] that I haven’t locked myself in my house and felt sorry for myself all this time.
Nic Enright
Enright was doused with beer by his teammates in the locker room.I definitely held my breath when I saw Nolan Jones running. But I had faith. As he approached the wall, I realized he was losing steam.
Nic Enright
Enright thanked his wife, parents, and the rest of his family for their support during an interview at his locker. He got the ball from the last out and plans to keep his uniform and cap, as well as a lineup card.I was so happy. Oh, I was going crazy in here. I was absolutely furious. He ran up the stairs, with a smile on his face.
Slade Cecconi, Guardians starting pitcher
Really, really great. These last few years, especially, I’ve been through a lot of adversity and everything that’s happened. And so, for me, it’s being able to reflect on them at these moments. I think that helps to be able to slow down the game. Because it hasn’t exactly been a red carpet launch for my career trajectory.
Nic Enright
