WASHINGTON — A day after Nationals pitcher Doug Fister said he recently had surgery to remove skin cancer from his neck, manager Matt Williams said players and coaches are very aware they’re at risk for the disease.
“It’s a big issue because you’re forced to be in the sun, a lot,” Williams said Saturday.”I know (Nationals third base coach) Bobby Henley’s had similar mini-surgery … where they take it out, and so he wears a lot of sunscreen. We put it on every day when we’re out there in the daylight hours, making sure we’re protected as much as possible.”
Fister pitched six innings Friday night in a 10-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants, ending Washington’s 10-game winning streak.
“I had some skin cancer removed a couple of days ago, and it had no effect tonight.”
Fister said he was now OK.
“He’s known about this for some time, and the doctors took care of it,” Williams said. “It’s a fairly common occurrence. Because it’s on his neck and he’s on television, people notice. From all indications, everything was taken care of. He’ll certainly have further tests and all that, and make sure everything’s good, but he had a fine start (Friday night).”
Williams said there was no thought given to Fister skipping his turn.
“No, the doctors said there’s no issues, they went in and did what they had to do,” Williams said. “He can certainly pitch with it. It didn’t bother him, going out there. He didn’t feel it or notice it within that start.”
Photo via Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports Images