Carlos Carrasco Plans to Donate $200 to Cancer Research for Every Strikeout He Throws

Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco made his return to the diamond over the weekend after missing a significant portion of the season following a leukemia diagnosis.

It was a great and touching moment when he took the mound to a huge standing ovation in his first appearance, however, the story isn't over. Carrasco has pledged to donate $200 for each strikeout he earns the month of September to childhood cancer research.

"I have cancer, but cancer doesn't have me," Carrasco said in the announcement video. "I want to remind families that there is always hope."

Carrasco is launching the "Punchout Cancer with Cookie" campaign, teaming up with New Balance and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to help combat cancer.

The best part of this story is the fact his Indians teammates are joining in. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber is pledging $100 per strikeout this month, which could be a lot because Bieber ranks third in all of baseball with 224 K's.

It doesn't stop there, as Carlos Santana is donating an unknown amount for every home run he hits, and Francisco Lindor will donate for every Indians win this month.

It's amazing to see Cookie back on a big league mound, and even more special to see him inspiring his teammates and have the squad rally behind him in his fight against cancer.