Fernando Valenzuela is stepping back from his broadcasting work with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the rest of the season so he can focus on his health.
Valenzuela, who will turn 64 on Nov. 1, is a Spanish language announcer for the team. The Dodgers announced on Wednesday that he hopes to return for the next season.
The Dodgers are set to play against San Diego or Atlanta in Game 1 of their NL Division Series on Saturday night.
Valenzuela spent the first 11 years of his 17-year major league career with the Dodgers. He played a key role in helping the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series and earned the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year after finishing the season with a 13-7 record and a 2.48 ERA in 25 starts.
He was a six-time All-Star and won at least 10 games while making at least 25 starts in nine seasons with the Dodgers. In 1986, he had a record of 21-11 with a 3.14 ERA, pitching 20 complete games and finishing second for the NL Cy Young Award behind Mike Scott.
Valenzuela played his final major league game with St. Louis in July 1997. He ended his playing career with a record of 173-153 and a 3.54 ERA in 453 games, including 424 starts.
