Orioles' Cedric Mullins had intestinal surgery after Crohn's disease diagnosis ahead of All-Star season

Baltimore Orioles centerfielder Cedric Mullins became a first-time All-Star in 2021 and, per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), made club history as the first Baltimore player to ever hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. 

That accomplishment was even more remarkable than it looks on paper. 

Mullins told reporters that he was initially diagnosed with Crohn's disease during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, played with symptoms throughout that campaign, and then underwent intestinal surgery in November 2020 before he hit .291 with 30 home runs and 59 RBI last year. 

The 27-year-old explained he told the Baltimore front office and close friends of the diagnosis. Among those friends was Orioles first baseman and designated hitter Trey Mancini, who famously missed the entire 2020 season after he was diagnosed with colon cancer. 

"My situation wasn't life or death," Mullins remarked. "It was something I knew I was going to be able to come back from, and Trey was coming back from his chemotherapy, and for me, all the support needed to go to him. For him to do what he did, come back and play a full season, regardless of how tired he was. He showed up every single day and performed really well. I thought it was important for him to get that recognition.

"His accomplishment certainly outweighs mine."

Mullins first revealed details about the surgery last month and said he had 10 to 15 centimeters of intestine removed and lost 20 pounds.