Former Yankee Mel Stottlemyre improving after 'fighting for his life'

Former New York Yankees pitcher and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre is improving in hospital after a life-threatening health scare as he battles cancer.

"He's doing much better," Stottlemyre's wife, Jean, told John Harper of the New York Daily News on Saturday. "We saw a big turnaround with Mel over the last 24 hours. He's not in a life-threatening situation right now."

According to Jean, Mel was admitted to a Seattle-area hospital on Wednesday due to a “bad reaction to his chemotherapy medicine.”

Stottlemyre's son, Todd, then posted Friday on Facebook about the serious situation.

"Calling all prayer warriors during this holiday season. My father is in the hospital fighting for his life," Todd wrote. "He has battled cancer for 16 years. He is the greatest champion that I have ever met. I'm praying hard for you Dad. I love you pops. Please lock arms with me and pray for all of our loved ones who are fighting."

Stottlemyre was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2000. The disease went into remission before reappearing in 2011.

The 75-year-old won 164 games as a starter for the Yankees from 1964-74. He was a five-time All-Star and threw a career-high 303 innings in 1969.

Stottlemyre joined the Yankees' coaching staff in 1996, serving under manager Joe Torre. He was a part of four World Series-winning teams with New York.