Matt Lauer replaces Bob Costas for primetime 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics coverage due to eye infection [VIDEO]

After revealing to the his viewers earlier this week that he had contracted some sort of infection in his eyes, NBC's Bob Costas has been replaced by Matt Lauer as host of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics primetime coverage. Hopefully Lauer doesn't contract the pink eye as well.

"Bear with me for a moment as I spare my friends in the press office countless inquiries," Costas explained at the beginning of Thursday's primetime coverage. "I have no choice to go all 'Peabody and Sherman' on you for the next couple of nights since I woke up this morning with my left eye swollen shut and just about as red as the old Soviet flag."

While phoning in to Lauer on Today, Costas admitted he was reluctant to leave his post, but is happy that Lauer can fill in.

"I was trying to throw a complete game," Costas, a longtime sports commentator, said in baseball terms. "Right now, I'm walking around like Marco Polo. I have no idea where I am."

Sticking with the baseball pitcher motif, he told Lauer: "You're Mariano Rivera, at least for one night," referring to the recently retired Yankees closer.

You can watch this clip of Costas handing over the reigns to Lauer on Today this morning, and see the hosts talk about the "trending item" that is the eye infection of Bob Costas.

Check out this clip right here:

NBC hopes Lauer will only be needed for one day. What do you think of this replacement?