Bob Costas takes day off from Olympic coverage after eye infection spreads

SOCHI , Russia, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- NBC sportscaster Bob Costas is going to take some time off to take care of his pink eye.

The 61-year-old newscaster announced Tuesday that he would be handing over his nightly Olympics coverage to Matt Lauer while he takes care of an eye infection that has spread from his left eye to the right one.

"Reluctantly, I was trying to throw a complete game here, but we're going to have to go to the bullpen, and I don't know if you're aware of this tonight, but you're Mariano Rivera, at least tonight,'' Costas told Lauer on Today, adding that he hopes to only need his help for one day.

Costas has been battling the infection since the beginning of the Sochi games last week, even wearing glasses, which he usually does not during his coverage. Costas explained his condition to the viewers Thursday night during NBC's first prime-time round-up show.

"[It] should resolve itself by the weekend," he assured viewers at the time.

However, the infection remains five days later, prompting the newscaster to finally ask for some time to try and recuperate.

[Today]