Buck Martinez absent from Blue Jays broadcast after health setback

Toronto Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez did not make his expected return to the broadcast booth Monday night after a minor health setback.

Martinez has not called a game for the Blue Jays on Sportsnet since May 28 in Texas. According to the Toronto Sun, much of his month off in June was prescheduled to reduce his workload, but Monday night’s absence was not. Martinez issued a statement addressing his extended absence from the booth, quantifying it as precautionary.

“Hey Blue Jays fans, I was planning to be back in the booth tonight after some scheduled time off, but I recently had a little health setback,” Martinez’s statement read. “While I’m feeling pretty good, I’m going to take some extra time off out of an abundance of caution. I hope to see you at the ballpark soon. As always, thanks for your love and support!”

Play-by-play voice Dan Shulman read Martinez’s statement during the broadcast, adding his own well-wishes for his longtime partner in the booth.

“I want everybody out there to know that Buck really feels the love from everybody in Blue Jays Nation,” Shulman said after reading Martinez’s statement. “He could not be more appreciative and, Buck, we are all thing of you. We know you’re watching every single pitch. To everybody, thank you for your concern and we can’t wait to have Buck back in the booth with us again soon.”

In 2022, Martinez missed more than three months after being diagnosed with cancer, but he was able to triumphantly return later that season following a successful treatment.

The 76-year-old has been with the Blue Jays for the better part of four decades, contributing to the organization as a player, manager and broadcaster. In recent years, the beloved Blue Jays analyst has worked a reduced schedule of about 100 games, with most of that time off coming during the middle of the season.