Cleveland Guardians Manager Terry Francona Set to Return to Dugout After Hospitalization
Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona is set to return to the dugout for Friday afternoon’s game against the Chicago Cubs, according to Reuters. Francona had been absent from the team’s past three games after being hospitalized for lightheadedness. However, he made a comeback at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday to watch interim manager DeMarlo Hale lead the Guardians in their 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
The decision to keep Francona away from the field was made due to the high temperatures in Kansas City, which were expected to reach 102 degrees. The team opted to prioritize Francona’s health and played it safe by having him stay in a controlled environment.
Francona, 64, has a history of medical complications. He has experienced blood clot issues and gastrointestinal problems, which limited his participation to only 14 games in the 2020 season. During his absence, Sandy Alomar Jr., the current first-base coach, stepped in to manage the team.
Last year, Francona underwent a hip replacement surgery and had surgery on his left big toe due to a staph infection. As a result, he handed over managerial duties to DeMarlo Hale for the final 63 games of the season.
This is not the first time Francona has faced health challenges. In 2017, he underwent cardiac ablation surgery during the midseason, causing him to withdraw from managing the American League All-Star team. Cleveland bench coach Brad Mills took his place.
Despite the setbacks, Francona has proven himself as a successful manager. He has been named the American League Manager of the Year three times, in 2013, 2016, and 2022, during his 11 seasons with the Cleveland Guardians.
Fans and the team are undoubtedly relieved to have Francona back in the dugout, as his experience and leadership have been instrumental in the Guardians’ success over the years. The game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday will mark his return to active management, and both the team and Francona will look to secure a victory.