MLB: Terry Francona to miss second straight Cleveland Guardians game

Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona will not be with the team for a second straight game after being hospitalized when he became dizzy before the game against the Kansas City Royals yesterday.

Francona, who has had significant health issues in recent years, spent Tuesday evening at the University of Kansas Medical Center and was discharged Wednesday. The team said tests on the 64-year-old « all came back within normal range ».

Doctors advised Francona to rest for the next few days. The team said his status would be assessed daily.

General manager Mike Chernoff joined the team in Kansas City and is expected to provide an additional update on Francona.

Guardians coach DeMarlo Hale will once again assume managerial duties in Francona’s absence. Hale was Cleveland’s interim manager for the last 63 games in 2021 when Francona had to retire.

The Guardians, who rallied to win Tuesday’s game 2-1 after Francona fell ill, are on a six-game road trip. After facing the Royals again on Thursday, they will begin a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs before returning home for their final stay before the All-Star break.

Francona is in his 11th season with Cleveland. Although his contract expired after last season, there is an agreement with the Guardians to stay with the club for as long as he wants.

Francona has faced major health issues over the past three years.

He managed just 14 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season due to gastrointestinal issues, and he walked away from the club for the second half of 2021 to have a hip replaced and treated for an infection. staphylococcal on the toe.

In 2017, Francona underwent heart surgery during All-Star break and did not coach the American League team.

Francona felt good this season and, true to form, often poked fun at his sometimes fragile state with his usual self-deprecating humor.

Before heading to Cleveland in 2013, Francona spent eight seasons with the Boston Red Sox. He helped end the team’s 86-year World Series drought with a title in 2004 and won a second championship in 2007.

Francona played ten seasons in the majors, before making his debut with the Montreal Expos in 1981. He also played with the Chicago, Cleveland and Milwaukee Cubs.

Francona’s late father, Tito, was also major leaguer.