Urban Meyer has appendix removed

— -- Ohio State coach Urban Meyer was hospitalized Wednesday to have his appendix removed.

His wife, Shelley, confirmed the procedure to The Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Team spokesman Jerry Emig confirmed that Meyer, who led the Buckeyes to the national championship last season, could be held in the hospital overnight Wednesday.

Meyer had to cancel an event at the University of Findlay because of the unplanned surgery.

The fourth-year Buckeyes coach has had health issues in the past, including chest pains that sent him to the hospital after the 2009 SEC championship game and that eventually caused him to step down at Florida. But Meyer has repeatedly said he is taking better care of himself at Ohio State.

Meyer is scheduled to throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium before Friday's Orioles-Yankees game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.