Mets GM Alderson takes leave to fight cancer

NEW YORK — New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson is taking a leave of absence because his cancer has returned, and he does not expect to return to the job.

Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and Alderson, 70, made the announcement before Tuesday night's game against Pittsburgh.

"With respect to the future, I would say two things: One is, notwithstanding the good prognosis, my health is an uncertainty going forward," said Alderson, who agreed to a contract extension in December. "And secondly, if I were to look at it on the merits, I'm not sure coming back is warranted."

Asked whether he would like Alderson to resume his GM duties if his health eventually allowed that, Wilpon answered the same way twice: "I think his health and his family are first and foremost."

Assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants J.P. Ricciardi and Omar Minaya will run the team's baseball operations in Alderson's absence.

Minaya preceded Alderson as Mets general manager, and Ricciardi was GM of the Toronto Blue Jays from 2001-09.

Alderson was hired by the Mets after the 2010 season. He was diagnosed with cancer at the end of the 2015 season and had surgery but stayed on the job. He reduced his work schedule at times but remained in a full-time role while undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

RED SOX 9, ANGELS 1: Mookie Betts homered on John Lamb's first pitch of the game, and J.D. Martinez hit his major league-leading 24th home run to lead host Boston. The Red Sox’s Jackie Bradley Jr. had four RBI and three hits, including a home run, and David Price (9-5) limited the Angels to one run in six innings. YANKEES 6, PHILLIES 0: Luis Severino became the majors' first 12-game winner, and Aaron Hicks and Didi Gregorius homered for visiting New York. Severino (12-2) struck out nine in seven dominant innings, lowering his ERA to 2.10. He has allowed three runs or less in 16 of 17 starts. RAYS 1, NATIONALS 0: Nathan Eovaldi didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning for host Tampa Bay. Eovaldi (2-3) lost his no-hit bid when Bryce Harper hit an oppositefield double off the left-field wall with two outs in the sixth. The right-hander struck out nine, walked two and hit a batter over six innings. MARINERS 3, ORIOLES 2: Kyle Seager homered and hit a pivotal tworun single in the eighth inning to lead visiting Seattle. James Paxton (7-2) allowed two runs in seven innings for the Mariners.