NESN announced Wednesday that the Red Sox commentator Jerry Remy will take an indefinite leave of absence to recover from his recent cancer surgery.

“I want to focus on completing my recovery so that I can return to work without distractions or interruptions,” said Remy

Jery Remy, a former smoker who underwent surgery for lung cancer late last year is expected to return but suffered a setback due to an infection and subsequent case of pneumonia. Remy hopes his experience will set as a cautionary example about the adverse effects of smoking to our health.

“I hope that disclosing my bout with cancer will reinforce the dangers of smoking to every member of Red Sox Nation, especially children,” said Remy, president of Red Sox Nation.