Boston Red Sox John Farrell Leaves after Revealing Cancer Diagnosis

John Farrell, the manager of the Boston Red Sox, revealed Friday that he has been diagnosed with a highly curable form of cancer.

Farrell will be taking a medical leave for the rest of the season. His bench coach, Torey Lovullo, will be taking over the team.

"I know we usually start out with the injury report. I'll start out with myself on this one. Monday's surgery for the hernia revealed that I have lymphoma," the 53-year-old Farrell said prior to Friday night's home game against Seattle. "Thankfully, it was detected in the hernia surgery. I can honestly tell you I'm extremely fortunate that it was found. Treatment will begin in the coming days."

Ferrell revealed that during surgery, the doctors had removed the entire mass. He will not need surgery again but will have to start chemotherapy next week.

Ferrell added, "A little bit of a shocker to be told later that afternoon that this was going on. Like I said, I'm fortunate. Stage 1. It's localized. It's highly curable. I'm extremely fortunate to not only be with people with the Red Sox, but access to MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) and world class talent that can handle this."

Ferrell made the announcement alongside Vice President Sam Kennedy, general manager Ben Cherington, Lovullo and players, David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia.

"He called me on a quick layover. I was sort of in shock. A few minutes to sink in and I figured I had to get back to Boston last night. I've been talking to him yesterday and this morning," Cherington said. "There's a lot of respect for him, not just in the Red Sox organization, but throughout baseball. There's a lot of people already reaching out. He's someone that spent his whole life in baseball. He's played, he's coached, worked in the front office and, obviously, he's managed now."

"When they mentioned the word 'cancer,' it's something that it doesn't matter where it comes from, it kind of impacts you," Ortiz added.

Ferrell's contract was extended through to 2017 with a club option for 2018.

The Red Sox are currently last in the AL East with their 50-64 record.