Galarraga Falls Ill Again

Veteran first baseman Andres Galarraga, who is a free agent, apparently has had a recurrence of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that kept him from playing in 1999 and returned in 2002.

Galarraga, 42, has been battling cancer since November, the Contra Costa Times newspaper reported.

“He’s better now, he’s much better,” San Francisco Giant third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, a fellow Venezuelan and former teammate, told the newspaper.

“I haven’t heard anything negative. I heard he wants to come back during the All-Star break, but he doesn’t want to play far from his family.”

Galarraga’s family lives in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Galarraga, a power hitter known as “Big Cat,” is two home runs short of 400. He has driven in 1,423 runs and has a .288 batting average in his 19 big-league seasons with Montreal, St. Louis, Colorado, San Francisco, Atlanta and Texas.

He was with the Braves when first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1999, and the cancer returned in 2002 after he rejoined the Expos.

Galarraga played in 110 games during a second stint with the Giants last season, hitting .301 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs in 272 at-bats.

He was not tendered a contract by the Giants before Dec. 7, meaning he couldn’t be re-signed by the club until May.

At this point, a return to the team does not appear likely.

“I haven’t talked with him since I left for spring training,” Manager Felipe Alou said.

“At this hour, you don’t know if he’s baseball-ready. As close as we are, I don’t know what his intentions are.

“My wife saw him in West Palm, and she said he looked good. He’s healthy and in good spirits. He told her he sends his best wishes for us. Maybe I’ll give him a call and see where he’s at.”

Galarraga has said he would like to reach 400 home runs before he retires.