Major League Baseball

Ohio State baseball players get tested to help teammate battling cancer

Published May. 14, 2014 12:18 p.m. ET

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Connor Kiesel

In the face of adversity, the Ohio State baseball team is showing a true bond.

With their teammate, freshman pitcher Zach Farmer, recently diagnosed with myeloid leukemia, 37 Buckeyes got swabbed and tested to be potential bone-marrow donors.

Senior captain Tim Wetzel, who was already a member of the national registry for donors, spurred the action, telling coach Greg Beals about it and getting the team to participate.

"This puts the game of baseball into perspective," Wetzel told The Columbus Dispatch. "Winning and losing is important, but right now Zach is in a battle for his life. We're trying to help get him through this."

Farmer has undergone a first chemotherapy treatment at a Columbus hospital.

Beals, speaking with ABC6 in Columbus, emphasized the unity of the team through the difficult time: "They know he's got a fight ahead of him and every guy in our locker room is willing to get behind him and stand with him through this battle."

They're doing it Wednesday by handing out wristbands for Farmer.

In-state rival Cincinnati joined the cause Tuesday night by wearing patches with Farmer's No. 11 in a show of solidarity.

Anyone who is interested in getting tested for bone marrow donation can get more information here at join.marrow.org//Zach

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