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          Ben Stiller, fellow MLB players show support for Chad Bettis following first start after cancer battle

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          Bettis was 'holding back tears until the start' (0:38)

          Chad Bettis expresses his emotions after making his first major-league start following his recovery from testicular cancer. (0:38)

          • ESPN.com
          Aug 15, 2017, 12:00 PM

          It takes a real fighter to battle cancer through chemotherapy. It's even tougher to return to the mound and pitch in a major league game after that treatment.

          Colorado Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis did just that on Monday, throwing seven dominant innings in his season debut after battling testicular cancer in the offseason and the early part of 2017. He scattered six hits, walked none and struck out two against the Atlanta Braves.

          Following his inspiring return, players from across the league -- and actor Ben Stiller -- took to Twitter to recognize Bettis' feat.

          Tuesday afternoon, Bettis posted to his Instagram thanking everybody for their support.

          After Monday's game, Bettis said he was holding back tears as he took the mound.

          "I don't think I was in tune to what was going on until the fifth," Bettis said. "So many emotions. I was trying to get them under control. It was taking much longer than what was expected."

          Even before his start began, the 28-year-old received support from teammates -- former and current -- and star players throughout baseball. Fellow testicular cancer fighter and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon was among those to chime in.

          Bettis rejoins his teammates in the middle of a playoff race. The Rockies are 66-52 following Monday's win, which ties them for the top wild-card spot in the National League. Last season, Bettis was 14-8 with a 4.79 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 186 innings.

          -- Courtney Schellin