Enright, Cancer Fighter, Gets First MLB Save

A particularly significant moment marked the first save in Nic Enright’s career. Enright, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in late 2022 and is scheduled to complete his treatments this year, pitched a scoreless inning in the tenth inning on Monday night, sealing the Cleveland Guardians’ 7-6 victory over the New York Mets.

I was almost crying on the field.

Stephen Vogt, Guardians manager

Cleveland selected Enright in the 20th round of the 2019 amateur draft, coming 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 made the decision when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2022 not to let that define my life or dictate how I was going to live it.

Nic Enright

Enright made his major league debut on May 25th and has an ERA of 2.01 in 19 appearances for the Guardians, whose bullpen is constantly changing with All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase on paid leave as part of a sports betting investigation. Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith pitched the eighth and ninth innings on Monday before Enright entered with a two-run lead. He allowed a run-scoring single with two outs to Brett Baty before retiring Luis Torrens on a fly ball to the warning track in right field. Definitely held my breath watching Nolan [Jones] keep running. Enright was doused with beer by his teammates in the locker room.

I was so happy, I was going crazy in here.

Slade Cecconi, Guardians starting pitcher

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.

Really, really great. These last few years, especially, I’ve been through a lot of adversity and everything that has happened. And so, for me, it’s being able to reflect on that at these moments. I think that helps to slow down the game. Because it hasn’t exactly been a red carpet for my career trajectory.

Nic Enright