Dodgers confirm rumors, announce Fernando Valenzuela leave of absence

Six-time Dodgers All-Star, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year award winner Fernando Valenzuela has been a Spanish-language color commentator for SportsNet LA since 2015. Valenzuela would've remained a beloved figure in Dodgers history even if he hadn't come back to the team after retiring in 1997 — this was the guy responsible for Fernandomania, whose No. 34 was retired by the Dodgers last year on Aug. 11, a date the city of LA also declared Fernando Valenzuela Day.

During the Dodgers' second game against the Padres last week, reports emerged that Valenzuela abruptly left the broadcast booth, but the Dodgers didn't release an official statement on his absence. News of a hospitalization emerged on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Dodgers broke their silence and confirmed that Valenzuela was stepping away for the rest of the season to focus on his health.

Dodgers legend, Spanish color commentator Fernando Valenzuela steps away from the booth with health concerns

The Dodgers added that Valenzuela is aiming for a return in 2025, but the exact health issue remains unspecified.

Valenzuela spent 11 years with the Dodgers and made his first start during the strike-shortened 1981 season, making 25 starts and pitching over 192 innings with a league-leading 11 complete games (different times). He beat out then-Cincinnati Red Tom Seaver by a hair for the NL Cy Young and Montreal Expos outfielder Tim Raines for Rookie of the Year.

The Dodgers released him during spring training in 1991 in a brutal move, and he jumped around the league until making his last major league start as a St. Louis Cardinal in July of 1997. He ended up back in the Dodgers' orbit as a Spanish language color commentator during division games in 2003 and moved into full-time color commentary in 2014. We wish him the very best, and that he'll be able to return to the booth next season as planned.