Dodgers legend and broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela on leave to focus on health

Former Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from his role as a Spanish-language radio broadcaster to "focus on his health," the team said Thursday in a statement.

"Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from the Dodger broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health," the Dodgers said in the statement that was posted to their social media accounts. "He and his family truly appreciate the love and support of fans as he aims to return for the 2025 season, and they have asked for privacy during this time."

Valenzuela had been absent from Dodger broadcasts for several weeks now, though details about the reason had not been given. On Monday, prominent Mexican sports journalist David Faitelson reported that Valenzuela had been hospitalized.

He has been a member of the team's broadcast booth since 2003.

Valenzuela, 63, was born in Navojoa, Mexico and became an instant fan favorite for the Dodgers, as he inspired the city's heavily Hispanic population to flock to Dodger fandom. In 1981, he sparked what became known as "Fernandomania," when he won both the National League Rookie of the Year award and the NL Cy Young. Valenzuela played 11 of his 17 MLB seasons with the Dodgers.

In August 2023, the Dodgers held a three-day ceremony during a series against the Colorado Rockies in which the franchise retired Valenzuela's No. 34 jersey. Though it hadn't been officially retired prior to the ceremony, no Dodgers player had worn it since Valenzuela left the organization in 1991. Los Angeles broke with tradition to retire the jersey, as the franchise has a rule that requires players to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame to have their jersey retired.

Valenzuela was a six-time All-Star, a member of the 1981 Dodgers World Series championship team and also won a Gold Glove in addition to his Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards. In his 17 seasons, Valenzuela posted a 173-153 record, with 31 shutouts, 2,074 strikeouts and a 3.54 earned run average.

The Dodgers will open their National League Division Series Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela on leave for health reasons