Sandy Alderson announced on Tuesday that his cancer has returned and he will take a leave of absence from the New York Mets.

It would seem that the 70-year-old's tenure as the club's general manager is essentially over.

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

Alderson was diagnosed with cancer at the end of the 2015 season and had surgery, but stayed on the job. He agreed to a contract extension in December.

"One difference between then and now is that that took place in the offseason,'' Alderson said. "I had a surgery in the offseason, I had some chemo in the offseason. Much easier to manage that with offseason activity. I had the decision-making authority basically at that time. I will not have the decision-making authority going forward. If people want to call me, they're welcome to do so. But at the same time, I don't expect to be involved in day-to-day activity.''

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