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June 28 (UPI) — Manager Terry Francona was hospitalized after feeling unwell, leading to his absence in the Cleveland Guardians’ game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., as announced by the team.
Prior to the start of the game at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, Francona underwent medical examination. The Guardians stated that he was admitted to a University of Kansas hospital for observation and underwent testing. The details of his condition were not disclosed.
The Guardians, who won the game with a score of 2-1, have not provided an update on Francona’s condition as of Wednesday morning.
“I found out right before the game … probably 15 minutes,” said Guardians bench coach DeMarlo Hale to reporters. “He called me and said, ‘Come in. I’m not feeling well. I’ll have to step out.’ I said, ‘OK.’
“It was so close [to the start of the game] that I couldn’t ask him what was happening. He told me to check in with him after the game.”
This is not the first time that Terry Francona, the 2022 American League Manager of the Year, has faced health issues during his extensive MLB career.
Last year, at the age of 64, Francona missed the second half of the season to undergo hip and foot surgeries. Prior to that, he had surgery to address a staph infection in his foot.
In 2020, Francona underwent multiple surgeries due to blood clots. He managed only 14 out of the Guardians’ 60 games during the shortened MLB season caused by the pandemic.
Through nearly half of the 2023 season, Francona has led the Guardians to a 38-40 record, placing them half a game behind the Minnesota Twins (40-41) in the American League Central division.
Last season, Francona guided the Guardians to a 92-70 record and a division title. In his 11 seasons with the franchise, he has accumulated a record of 883-711.
With a total of 23 seasons, including his time with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Red Sox, the three-time Manager of the Year and two-time World Series champion has an overall record of 1,912-1,626.
The Guardians will face the Royals again at 8:10 p.m. EDT on Wednesday in Kansas City.
