Darling back in Mets booth after cancer surgery

NEW YORK -- New York Mets announcer Ron Darling is returning to the team's broadcast booth Tuesday night following surgery to treat thyroid cancer.

Darling said April 13 that he was taking a medical leave. On May 6, he said a mass had been removed and he planned to be back at work in about a month.

The 58-year-old former pitcher said in a statement Monday that his doctors tell him his cancer has been "stabilized for now" and he has been cleared to work. He added that he will be monitored closely for the next several months to "assure my progress remains on the right track."

Darling was 136-116 from 1983 to '95 and helped the Mets win the 1986 World Series.