David Hess to undergo surgery Tuesday as the former Orioles pitcher continues his battle with cancer

David Hess, the former Baltimore, Miami, and Tampa Bay pitcher who won his battle with cancer in 2022, is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday after it returned.

Back in January of 2022, Hess said that he was ‘cured’ and would be cleared for baseball activities.

However, in recent days, a GoFundMe has been set up and has revealed that Hess’ cancer has come back.

In a note posted Sunday, the fundraiser updated those who donated saying that the surgery is still on schedule.

‘We are blown away by the support and the prayers this far, and ask that we all continue to love and support [David and his wife Devin] during this time.’

David Hess will undergo surgery on Tuesday after revealing on Friday his cancer had returned

Just days ago, it was revealed that Hess’ cancer had returned in a post he made on social media. 

‘The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind for us with this cancer journey that seems to never want to end,’ he posted on Instagram on Friday. ‘We found out that inside my tumor was (a) very rare and very aggressive type of cancer called angiosarcoma. 

‘Along with that discovery, lung nodules have popped up that we aren’t sure what to make of yet.’

Hess, 29, will have surgery on Tuesday to biopsy the nodules and also undergo upcoming surgery to remove the tumor. He also will have chemotherapy.

‘I will fight like hell and do whatever is needed for a cancer free prognosis at some point,’ he wrote.

The former Orioles, Marlins and Rays pitcher shared a lengthy health update on Instagram

Hess will now undergo surgery and chemotherapy. He and his wife, Devin, married in 2016

An online fundraiser was set up on Friday to help Hess and his wife, Devin, with medical expenses. 

‘The Hesses have hearts of gold, and are facing this unthinkable journey with unending faith, grace and strength,’ the page’s description read. ‘It’s on our hearts to do anything we can to help, and we appreciate everyone’s support!’

The biggest contribution so far has come from Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks and his wife, Kristi, who donated $5,000 on Friday. 

Daniel Bard, pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, matched that donation. The $15,000 goal had been passed and stood at $21,225 at the time of writing on Saturday night.

Two other teammates of Hess’, Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo, donated a combined $4,500 to his cause. 

Hendriks was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma last December and is close to returning to the team. He rang the ‘victory bell’ at his last chemotherapy session on April 5.

The biggest contribution to Hess’ Go Fund Me, so far, is from White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks

Liam Hendriks spoke for the first time about his battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in May

Hess was diagnosed with a germ cell tumor, a rare form of cancer, in his chest in October 2021

Hess was ‘cured’ and cleared for baseball activities in 2022. Seen with Devin in February 2023

Hess was diagnosed with a germ cell tumor, a rare form of cancer, in his chest in October 2021 after he went to the emergency room with tightness in his chest and ‘severe shortness of breath’. 

Following treatment for the cantaloupe-sized tumor, he was cleared to return to baseball in early 2022.

Hess has a career record of 6-22 with a 6.25 ERA in 62 games (34 starts) with the Baltimore Orioles (2018-20), Miami Marlins (2021) and Tampa Bay Rays (2021).

He spent the 2022 season in the Rays’ minor league system, tallying a 2-1 record with a 13.06 ERA in 10 1/3 innings over eight relief appearances.