Darling announces medical leave of absence

ATLANTA -- Mets broadcaster Ron Darling is taking a leave of absence from the SNY broadcast booth due to a medical issue.

Darling announced during Saturday night’s broadcast that a series of tests revealed a large mass in his chest, which he will undergo surgery to have removed in an operation next week. Saturday will be his last game in the SNY booth until May.

“Doctors have told me if there are no complications I should be back on air talking baseball sometime next month,” Darling said.

One-third of the network’s vaunted broadcast trio that also includes Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez, Darling has been calling Mets games since the network’s inception in 2006.

“My health is the top priority right now for my family and I,” Darling said. “I’m looking forward to being back in the booth with our crew and my friends Gary and Keith as soon as I can.”

A member of New York’s 1986 World Series championship team, Darling played for the Mets from ‘83-91. In addition to his SNY duties, Darling calls national games for TBS and is a regular contributor to MLB Network.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to him," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "Obviously a great Met. He's part of the family, the Met family. That's tough news to hear. It's tough for the fans, it's tough for Ron and his family, and we'll definitely be thinking about him. Hearing something like that with a person that is so special to our organization puts things into perspective."