Houston Astros third base coach Gary Pettis has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and will miss the rest of the season, the team announced Saturday.
The club said the 62-year-old Pettis is expected to make a full recovery.
Pettis last coached for the Astros on Sept. 15 before being sidelined due to hip discomfort. The Astros said tests related to the hip issue led to the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in white blood cells and accumulates in bone marrow, where it attacks healthy blood cells.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary and his family as he navigates through this challenging time,” the Astros said in a statement. “He is upbeat and in good spirits and knows that he has the full support of the entire Astros family, including players and staff. We know that he will face this challenge head on and look forward to his return.”
Pettis is in sixth season on the Houston coaching staff.
He played 11 seasons from 1982-92 and won five Gold Gloves as one of the elite defensive outfielders in the majors. Pettis had a .236 career average with 354 steals, 21 homers and 259 RBIs in 1,183 games with the then-California Angels (1982-87), Detroit Tigers (1988-89, 1992), Texas Rangers (1990-91) and San Diego Padres (1992).