Nam Y Huh / AP

Cincinnati Reds star Ken Griffey Jr. is coping with illnesses to both parents.

CINCINNATI - It's a child's worst nightmare: Not one, but two parents facing a medical crisis. That's exactly what Ken Griffey Jr. is facing, after his mother and father were diagnosed with cancer.

The Cincinnati Reds star's agent, Brian Goldberg, confirmed to News 5 that Bertie Griffey is suffering from colon cancer. She will have major surgery in Orlando on Thursday.

Former Reds player Ken Griffey Sr. has been diagnosed with prostate cancer in its early stages, Goldberg said. The cancer might be treatable without surgery, but Griffey Sr. won't know more about his status until next week.

It's unknown whether Junior will stay with the Reds in St. Louis for the team's series finale against the Cardinals on Thursday afternoon.

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