Torres had an emergency appendectomy earlier this month and last week he was rushed to the hospital after experiencing severe pain in his abdomen and the band reports that he will have to have gall bladder surgery.

With Torres medical problems, that means the band's new leg of their Because We Can tour will be missing two key longtime members of the band, Torres and Richie Sambora.

The band says that they expect Torres to return to the tour "in the very near future" and until then Rich Scannella will be taking over on drums. Frontman Jon Bon Jovi says, "Tico Torres has been the heart and soul of our band since we started 30 years ago," he said. "He's also one tough SOB and we look forward to him again pounding away brilliantly at the drums on remainder of this and future tours."

Torres issued the following message for fans, "I would like to say a quick Thank You to all of you who have kept me in your thoughts thus far. There is nothing that can prepare one for a medical emergency but I have been taken especially good care of and would again like to thank all my doctors and health care professionals.

"I am very disappointed not to be able to perform but our friend Rich Scannella will stand in for me. You are in good hands.