Back Martinez, the Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster, is stepping away from the broadcast booth after being diagnosed with cancer.

Martinez said in a statement released by Sportsnet that Sunday’s game against the Oakland Athletics will be his last "for a short period" as he begins weeks of cancer treatment.

Martinez, 73, said he hopes to return to his colleagues at Sportsnet in the extended Jays broadcast later this season.

The veteran broadcaster's association with the Blue Jays dates back to 1981 when he began a five-year stint as one of the team members. Martinez enjoyed a 17-year baseball career as a player, which also included stops with the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers.

He was appointed Blue Jays manager in 2001, but was fired midway through his second season with the team after compiling a 100-115 record.

Thanks to his silky voice and smooth delivery of information, Martinez first rose behind the microphone in 1987 as a commentator for Jays games on TSN. He also helped call games for ESPN and TBS and the Baltimore Orioles, before joining the Blue Jays television crew at Sportsnet in 2010.