Five-time MLB All-Star Tony Fernandez is in critical condition with a kidney issue, according to multiple reports.
According to Global News' Rob Leth, a former teammate of Fernandez's confirmed an earlier report out of the Dominican Republic regarding the longtime Toronto Blue Jays infielder's medical condition.
I have confirmation from a former #BlueJays player and teammate of Tony Fernandez that he is in fact in critical condition with a kidney issue.
— Rob Leth (@RobLeth) February 1, 2020
Fernandez is the Jays all-time hits leader & was such a joy to watch offensively & defensively helping lead the franchise to prominence
Fernandez, 57, had been hospitalized for about a week in late 2017 with Polycystic Kidney Disease. The U.S. National Medical Library says PKD occurs when cysts "develop in the kidneys and interfere with their ability to filter waste products from the blood."
Toronto's all-time leader in games played (1450), hits (1583), WAR among position players (37.5) and defensive WAR (12.4) , Fernandez had three separate stints with the Blue Jays throughout his 18-year career. The San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic native won Gold Glove awards in four straight seasons with the Jays (1986-89) and was also a key member of Toronto's 1993 World Series-winning squad.
Fernandez also spent time with the Padres, Mets, Reds, Yankees, Indians and Brewers before he retired after the 2001 season .