Fernando Valenzuela leaves Dodgers’ broadcasts for health reasons

LOS ANGELES – Amid reports that he has been hospitalized, the Dodgers released a statement Wednesday confirming that Fernando Valenzuela left the Spanish-language broadcast team in order “to focus on his health.”

The 63-year-old Valenzuela will not appear on broadcasts for the remainder of this season, the team said. No details about Valenzuela’s health issues were offered and the team did not comment on reports that he has been hospitalized.

“Fernando Valenzuela has stepped away from the Dodgers broadcast booth for the remainder of this year to focus on his health,” the team’s statement said. “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.”

There may be no figure in the long history of the Dodgers more beloved than Valenzuela. He took the sport by storm in 1981, winning the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards and creating a sensation dubbed “Fernandomania.” The Mexican native brought a new fan base to the team that still remains loyal to the Dodgers.

He spent 11 years with the Dodgers, making six All-Star teams while winning 141 games and throwing a no-hitter in 1990, before shoulder problems forced him to miss an entire season. He spent five more seasons in the major leagues, pitching for the Padres, Orioles, Phillies and Cardinals and also had a minor-league stint with the Angels.

Last season, the Dodgers retired Valenzuela’s uniform number 34, a move that had been urged by followers of the team for years.

Mexican broadcaster David Faitelson was the first to report on social media Monday that Valenzuela had been hospitalized.