Tommy Milone revealed Saturday that he had a benign tumor removed from his neck Dec. 4, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Milone revealed Saturday that he had a benign tumor removed from his neck on Dec. 4, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

Neck pain kept Milone off the hill for most of September, and the discomfort continued into the offseason. Eventually, he went to see a specialist, and the benign tumor was then found and promptly removed. The right-hander was able to resume throwing just two weeks after the procedure, and he said he feels much better now. Milone will compete for a spot in the Twins' rotation during spring training after posting a 4.19 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 118 innings between Oakland and Minnesota last season.