PITTSBURGH Jameson Taillon made a trip to the PNC Park bullpen Monday night that was five weeks in the making.The 25-year-old Pirates right-hander was recovered from surgery for testicular cancer, cancer-free and ready to get back to work.In the visitor’s dugout Monday night was the Rockies’ Chad Bettis another testicular cancer survivor who is on the road back to the major leagues, and who was there for Taillon when he faced a career cro sroads several weeks earlier.Call it planned, a coincidence or destiny, but the connection the two shared Monday and will always share goesbeyond opponents on a baseball field.When Taillon was cooped up in the hospital in early May, the me sage from his teammates and coaches was clear: We’ll hold down your spot until you come back, but make sure you take care of yourself first.MLB DRAFT: Lance Parrish Jersey Five best things that happened inside Studio 42Taillon has heard this a lot throughout his young profe sional career. When he looked major league ready in 2014, he needed Tommy John surgery. When he finally returned in 2015, he was quickly shut down again with a sports hernia. When he broke through as a rookie in 2016, he took a line drive off the noggin.But this time was different. There are no protocols and benchmarks for coming back from cancer.So Taillon texted Bettis. The 28-year-old righty had his cancer surgically removed in November, but it returned in March and he was forced to leave the team to get chemotherapy.[I] wasn’t thinking about the season anymore, Bettis said, recalling the diagnosis. It was my life.Taillon asked Bettis a bevy of questions, including whether people would think he’s crazy for wanting to come back as soon as po sible. Bettis gave him the answer he wanted: If it makes you feel better, do it.To hear from him that he didn’t think it was crazy to pick up a ball and get after it https://www.tigersedges.com/detroit-tigers/james-mccann-jersey was good to hear, Taillon said.Taillon did get after it. He made rehab starts the same month he was diagnosed. Then he started getting at it off the field, too. He’s talking to the media about raising awarene s for the disease. Meanwhile, Bettis is working with the Testicular Cancer Society to do the same. Both are trying to make the best out of a bad situation.We had to go through something traumatic, but at the same time, I think it made us better people for that, Bettis said.The time away from baseball gave Taillon a different outlook on the game, a clearer focus on what really matters.Whenever there’s a man on third and no outs, it’s not as big a deal to me anymore, he said. I’ve got a little bit of perspective.MORE: Sports personalities who have battled cancerButterflies can still get to him, though. Normally cool and collected on the mound, Taillon said Monday was a different story as he warmed up for his first start back.It was pretty similar to my (MLB) debut, he said. Shaky legs. There was emotion, but it was good emotion out there.But he excelled, going five shutout innings and getting the win. Bettis said before the game that having a front-row seat to see Taillon pitch was a privilege.Baseball is therapeutic for both men. As Bettis told Taillon, It’s in our DNA.Baseball helps heal.Bettis’ journey back is headed in the right direction, too. He finished his last round of chemotherapy May 16. Monday, he threw from 120 feet, did some flat ground throwing and ran the poles. So far, there has not been any setbacks, and he hopes to make his return this season.He returned to the team June 6, and resumed traveling with his teammates. That’s beneficial for him in two ways. For one, he gets to spend more time with his baseball brothers.I think it’s better for me than it is for them, Bettis said. But just to be around my teammates and guys again, it’s awesome.It also means he can finally get some sleep. In the middle of his chemotherapy, a 7 pound, 14 ounce girl named Everleigh Rae came into his life. His first child. Something wonderful to balance out the bad.She’ll never understand https://www.tigersedges.com/detroit-tigers/jordan-zimmermann-jersey how much she means to me. Ever, he said.Another refuge.Taillon and Bettis did not talk Monday. Bettis did not want to disturb him before his big day, but he said they’ll talk before the series concludes. Their teams will meet again in July.Perhaps the two will be doing what they’ve wanted to do for so long: go pitch every five days.