SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas Rangers third base coach Tony Beasley will undergo chemotherapy during spring training after being diagnosed with rectal cancer.
General manager Jon Daniels said the disease is in its early stages and is treatable.
Beasley was expected in camp Saturday, a day after the 49-year-old coach missed the initial workout following the reporting date for pitchers and catchers.
"This morning was tough for me when I looked out over our coaching staff and one of our coaches was not there because for me it is still our family, our second family if you will," said manager Jeff Banister, who choked up when talking about his friend of about 25 years.
The Rangers hope Beasley will be on the field when the season starts. His workload this spring will be dictated by how he feels, and the team will wait to see how that goes before determining if they need to find someone to fill in for Beasley on an interim basis.
"We really don’t have a lot of answers to those questions," Daniels said. "We’re going to take them step by step, day by day, and see how he responds."
Banister overcame bone cancer while in high school.
Before becoming manager of the Rangers last season, Banister had spent 29 years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as a player and coach. Beasley had also been a player and coach in the Pirates organization before joining Banister’s staff.
"I’m still somewhat emotional," Banister said. "I think I have a pretty good sense of where Tony is mentally."
