Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris announces he has thyroid cancer

Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris revealed he is dealing with thyroid cancer and will undergo surgery to have the growth removed.

Norris said he was diagnosed with a malignant growth on his thyroid when he was optioned to Triple-A in the spring.

A doctor told him that he could wait until after the season to have the growth removed.

The 22-year-old was acquired by the Tigers at the trade deadline in a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays involving ace David Price.

"I've been debating for months as to how or even if I should share this with people. I'm a firm believer in the power of prayer," Norris wrote on Instagram.

"So now, I'm asking for prayers. A few months ago, after I was optioned to AAA, I found out I had a growth on my thyroid.

"Flying back forth from Toronto to Buffalo after pitching to have more and more tests done it was finally concluded that the growth is considered malignant.. Meaning it contained the C word.. cancer.

"Hearing this was alarming, yea. Weird, yea, that too. I was given the option to shut my year down get it removed immediately.

"However, seeing another doctor that determined I could wait until the end of the season reassured my gut feeling. Just Keep Playing. Baseball kept me sane.

"Regardless of results on the field, I forgot about it when I was between the lines. After all, I was just trying to get the heck out of AAA. I did. I was revived with an opportunity, a blessing from God, with the Tigers back in the Big Leagues.

"So yea, the power of prayer.. It got me through this season.

"Now that it's over it's time to get this thing out, so please keep me in your thoughts prayers as I undergo surgery come out 100% cancer free! As always... #justkeeplivin."

In eight starts with the Tigers, Norris posted a 3.68 ERA

Tigers general manager Al Avila confirmed via ESPN that the team were aware prior to making trade for Norris.

The club expect him to make a full recovery.