ARIZONA -- Former Minnesota Twins manager and new Arizona Diamondbacks bench coach Ron Gardenhire has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 59-year-old Gardenhire told reporters about the diagnosis Tuesday and says it is the only time he would talk about the subject.

He says it was confirmed about a week ago after tests in Minnesota. He plans to undergo surgery to remove his prostate gland in April.

Gardenhire says doctors believe they caught the cancer early and that the surgery would leave him cancer-free.

He managed the Twins for 13 seasons before being fired after the 2014 season.

He was special assistant to Twins general manager Terry Ryan last year before being hired as the top assistant with the Diamondbacks.

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