Lester: Westmoreland 'in a good organization'

Mar 14, 2010 - 9:23 PM FORT MYERS, Fla.(AP) -- Jon Lester isn't making comparisons between his cancer battle four years ago and Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland's recent brain diagnosis.

Boston announced Saturday that the 19-year-old outfielder will have surgery Tuesday for a cavernous malformation in his brain.

"I don't know if you can compare what (I) went through to that," Lester said Sunday. "I mean you're talking about a brain, it's a little different situation. He's definitely in a good organization as far as doctors and people that'll take care of him. As far as that goes, we got a lot of good resources here."

Lester was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma in August 2006 during his first major-league season. The pitcher has been cancer-free since his treatment that year.

Westmoreland was recognized as the best prospect in the Red Sox system by Baseball America this offseason.

A cavernous malformation is a cluster of abnormal or dilated blood vessels that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms can include bleeding in the brain, seizures and headaches.

Lester said the Red Sox did a good job of protecting his privacy during his treatment, and he expects Westmoreland will benefit from the same approach.

"I was very happy with the way it was handled as far as the media and the Red Sox," Lester said. "I think I probably would have dealt with (my treatments) the same, (but) it's just one less thing you have to deal with."