Minnesota Twins Pitcher Kody Funderburk's Wife Alicia Faces Cancer Diagnosis During Pregnancy

MLB pitcher Kody Funderburk's wife, Alicia, received a cancer diagnosis while expecting their first child, a situation that has drawn significant attention.

On April 25, the Minnesota Twins shared a series of poignant social media updates detailing Alicia's health journey. Kody had recently returned from paternity leave following the birth of their daughter, Murphy Jo, on April 20.

"Fundy is back from the Paternity List but we want to take a moment to share more of his and his wife’s story," the posts stated, accompanied by a photo of Kody, 29, alongside Alicia, who wore a scarf over her head. Another image depicted Alicia seated in a hospital chair, visibly pregnant.

"While pregnant, Alicia was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma," the caption read. "After ongoing chemotherapy treatments, doctors are hopeful that she’ll make a full recovery."

Hodgkin lymphoma, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, "is cancer that affects the lymphatic system" and is known for being "highly treatable and often curable." Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and even clinical trials.

Alicia first disclosed her diagnosis on Instagram on April 15, just days before Murphy's birth. "A little photo recap and life update from the last few months... From getting pregnant to being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, life recently has had some surprises," she wrote, sharing images that included those posted by the Twins. "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."

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She expressed her joy about welcoming Murphy into their lives: "Baby Fundy is already so loved (and clearly already likes to keep things interesting). We can’t wait to meet them in a few days!❤️," she added.

The Twins confirmed Murphy's arrival with an announcement on their social media platform: "Baby Fundy arrived on Monday, April 20th – a healthy baby girl, Murphy Jo. Both Alicia and Murphy are doing well!"

The team praised the resilience and positivity exhibited by the Funderburks during this challenging time. "We are inspired by the strength and positivity the Funderburks have shown. We wish them the very best and continue to support them on and off the field."

Kody, who was drafted from Dallas Baptist University in 2018 and made his MLB debut in 2023, shared insights about Alicia's diagnosis in an interview with local media on April 19. He noted that the cancer was detected "early enough," prompting swift action.

"It was just more about, 'OK, what do we need to do?'" he explained. "Kind of like how baseball is, you kind of get to your process, 'OK, what’s next? OK, go execute that. What’s next? OK, let’s do that.'

As they navigate this difficult chapter, the Funderburks remain focused on their family and health.