Twins rookie Devin Smeltzer made his MLB debut against the Brewers at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tuesday, dealing six shutout innings in a 5-3 Minnesota victory. And the strong performance came with a touch of added emotion for the 23-year-old left hander.
Smeltzer was diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine after doctors found a "grapefruit-sized mass in his abdomen," per the Minnesota Star Tribune's Jim Souhan. The cancer has reportedly been in remission for seven years, but Smeltzer carries his battle with him each time he takes the mound.
“I put a lot into that back story,” Smeltzer told reporters following Tuesday's victory.