Pittsburgh Pirates’ Travis Swaggerty reveals his wife has blood disease after raccoon attack

Baseball player Travis Swaggerty has revealed his wife has blood disease following an attack by a raccoon which has ‘taken her quality of life away from her.’

The Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguer shared the pain his wife Peyton, who married in December 2020 after five years together, is going through after being attacked by the animal over 12 months ago.

‘Tomorrow, my wife Peyton heads to the Mayo Clinic (with Sutton [daughter] and her parents and Nana) after being attacked by a rabid raccoon over a year ago and a lot of guesses and medicines have been thrown at her,’ he said on his Twitter account.

‘She’s now been diagnosed with an extremely rare, painful blood disease that has completely taken over her body. 

‘It has riddled her with unresolved pain and problems and completely taken her quality of life away from her. 

‘Every day she does everything in her power to make sure that Sutton has a great, fun day,’ Travis added with news of his wife’s illness on Wednesday

‘I wanted to share this to ask for support and prayers for her, along with reminding everyone to not take anything for granted in this life, especially the little things. 

‘Her faith and trust in God has never wavered. 

‘Please take the time to pray for her if you feel compelled to and for the doctors to give her some comfort, and ultimately a solution. Proverbs 3:5-6.’

His pinned Twitter post is a photo of the family of three, all in Pirates jerseys. Sutton celebrated her first birthday last September. 

Travis Swaggerty was selected in the 2018 MLB Draft as the 10th overall pick.

Peyton was in the bleachers for his MLB debut in June 2022 against the Detroit Tigers.

She wrote on social media at the time: ‘Your girls are so beyond proud of you! We are so blessed to be able to call you ours and also watch you live out your dream every single day. Happy debut, babe! We love you.’

This season he was optioned from the major leagues and is competing in Triple-A Indianapolis.

Travis praised his wife on social media on Wednesday as she headed to the clinic

Pictured is a common raccoon. Peyton was attacked by the animal over 12 months ago

He also added another post shortly after the first on Wednesday, writing: ‘Wanted to add to this and say regardless of how she’s feeling, she always makes sure she’s mom first. 

‘Every day she does everything in her power to make sure that Sutton has a great, fun day.

‘She fights through everything she’s feeling to be the best mom she can be.’

Peyton then added on Twitter: ‘Thank you all for the love & prayers! We’re on our way to the Mayo Clinic right now. I’m trusting God and the doctors!’