Dave Roberts, whose stolen base for Boston in the 2004 ALCS sparked the Red Sox to an elusive World Series championship, is being treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Roberts was diagnosed in mid-March and he says the cancer was detected early. He says the prognosis is “good.” He has undergone two rounds of chemotherapy so far.

“I expect to beat this fully,” Roberts said during a conference call Monday.

The 37-year-old Roberts, who is working for the San Diego Padres as a special assistant, said he wanted to keep his illness private but knew that his appearance would be changing as he underwent chemotherapy.

“Going forward I definitely hope that I can keep this private with my family,” he said.

Roberts said he began feeling soreness in his neck before spring training, then discovered a lump that began to grow.

He continued to work with players during spring training.

“It was a challenge,” he said. “I had to kind of balance it and try not to do too much throughout spring training. But you know what? I wanted to continue with spring training and help this organization any way I could. Also, it was good for me. I didn’t want to take the focus away from the players. I wanted to make it about them.”

Robert said he informed a handful of players about his illness, and that the organization has been supportive.

“Just going to the ballpark and working with players, or going to a minor league affiliate and seeing the guys stimulates me and keeps me going and keeps me positive,” he said.

He said he has to pace himself, however, and didn’t go to the ballpark the last few days, when the NL West-leading Padres won three of four games against Milwaukee.