Twins Pitcher Funderburk Welcomes Daughter After Wife's Cancer Diagnosis

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Kody Funderburk and his wife, Alicia, welcomed their first child, daughter Murphy Jo, on April 20, 2024, capping a challenging pregnancy marked by Alicia's diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma.

The couple learned of the pregnancy in September 2023, but soon after, Alicia received the cancer diagnosis, a form of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. According to the Minnesota Twins, who shared details of the family's journey on social media on April 24, Alicia underwent several rounds of chemotherapy while pregnant. Doctors halted the treatments as her due date approached and expressed confidence in her full recovery. The team noted that the cancer was detected early, allowing for prompt medical intervention. Alicia is scheduled to resume chemotherapy in the coming weeks.

In posts on Instagram, Alicia described the past months as unexpected, sharing photos from her pregnancy that included hospital visits and moments with Kody by her side. "While this season of life hasn't looked how we imagined, Kody and I are beyond grateful for all the love, prayers, and support around us," she wrote on April 15, days before Murphy's birth. "We have been...