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The Rockies were #TogetherForBettis on Twitter as they showed support for pitcher Chad Bettis

Posted at 11:14 PM, Mar 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-21 01:23:13-04

The Colorado Rockies were #TogetherForBettis on Twitter Monday night as they showed support for their starting pitcher. Chad Bettis started chemotherapy Monday after tests showed his testicular cancer had returned and spread to other parts of his body. The Twitter hash tag generated lots of supporting tweets from other MLB teams and players.

Chad responded to all the support Monday night:

Wow! I mean WOW people! Thank you so much for everything! The love, support and prayers! My family and I love y'all! We WILL beat this!

"Chad has handled this so gracefully and courageously," manager Bud Black said. "He's kept such a positive frame of mind around the clubhouse, and to the guys, it's been great. You could see why so many players gravitate to him and the role that he's taken on this team through a leadership position. The last couple years, he's been great. His work with guys in and around the clubhouse has shown, and even through this, he's been just a pillar of strength."

The 27-year-old right-hander wants to be back pitching for the Rockies this season.

"His intent is to be ready to pitch for the Rockies sometime this summer," said Black. Bettis was 14-8 last season with a 4.79 ERA.

The Rockies lost to the Cubs 9-6 in a spring training game Monday. Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson went 5 innings and gave up 3 runs. Projected closer Greg Holland, returning from Tommy John surgery, pitched one scoreless inning with 2 strike outs.