BOSTON -- Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy, who has taken a three-month leave of absence from the broadcast booth as he recovered from treatment for lung cancer, is suffering from depression. The popular broadcaster said Wednesday the condition is delaying his return to the booth.

"I'm doing much better; it's been a long haul for me," Remy told SportsCenter 5's Mike Lynch in an interview at Fenway Park.

Remy appeared in the broadcast booth during the second inning of the game against Detroit and received an emotional ovation from the Fenway crowd.

Remy said that his return to the booth has been delayed as he has battled depression. Remy said he tried several medications and did not even feel like watching a baseball game.

"You battle through and you get through it and it's nice to get back to the park where I'm supposed to be," Remy said, after he had stopped in for a meeting with manager Terry Francona.

"It all started to crash down on me. I have been fighting depression the past couple of months," he said. "We all decided that a leave of absence was the best thing to do."

"Physically I'm back, but mentally they've been trying to get the right combination of meds," he said. "I think I'm on the right path."

The iconic Sox broadcaster said he has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from Red Sox Nation. "It's been impossible for me to personally thank them all. The number of cards and kindergarten kids making posters has been overwhelming. It means that for the last 22 years I have been doing something right," he said.

Remy would not put a date on his return. "I hope to get back soon. I think it's coming soon," adding that he had missed several earlier deadlines for his return.

In a message sent from his Twitter account after his appearance, Remy wrote, "It certainly lifted my spirits -- what can I say? -- looking forward to getting back."

Remy abruptly left the broadcast booth in May with the disclosure that he had been treated for lung cancer in the off-season. He later developed an infection and pneumonia in spring training. He said he's cancer-free, but depression has kept him from calling Red Sox games.

"I made a major mistake early in the season and tried to come back soon. I was not listening to my body. Things are much better now than they were five months ago," he said.

Remy said he had lost 25 pounds after his illness. He said he will thank all those who sent good wishes when he returns to the air.