Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins said in a video released Wednesday that he was able to perform at a high level in 2021 despite struggling with Crohn’s disease the entire season.
Mullins was both an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2021 and the only major leaguer with at least 30 home runs and 30 steals, all while dealing with a condition that causes inflammation and discomfort in the intestines.
Mullins’ lower abdominal discomfort first surfaced in the spring of 2020. It wasn’t until last offseason that he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which, among other ailments, impairs the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.
Mullins, 27, still managed to have the best season of his career, batting .291 with a .518 slugging percentage. He hit 30 home runs with 59 RBIs and 30 steals, while playing in the All-Star Game at Denver and finishing ninth in American League MVP voting.
A career .265 hitter over four seasons with 37 home runs and 86 RBIs, Mullins played in 159 of the Orioles’ 162 games last season.
After first believing he had food poisoning, Mullins eventually underwent a procedure to remove a portion of intestine and ended up losing 20 pounds after an infection developed. Adding to his concern was that his struggles coincided with teammate Trey Mancini’s diagnosis of colon cancer.
“I think it’s more important for people to not be afraid to get checked out,” Mullins said in a video released by MLB Players Media. “I mean, that is something I’ve always had a hard time doing. That tough guy mentality like, ‘It’s just a little bruise. It’s not a big deal.’ We constantly do it.”
–Field Level Media