San Diego baseball icon Tony Gwynn was undergoing surgery today to remove a cancerous growth in his right cheek, ESPN reported.
The tumor was discovered in the same spot where a malignant mass was taken out about 18 months ago.
Gwynn, a Hall of Fame inductee after a long career with the Padres and currently head baseball coach at San Diego State University, used smokeless tobacco for 30 years, according to ESPN.
The article quoted Alicia Gwynn as saying her husband was very nervous about the operation.
If the growth is benign, Gwynn will return to his coaching duties in about one month, according to ESPN.
The Aztecs' season opener is Friday against the University of Washington at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The school did not have immediate comment.
