CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 26: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Indians stands on the field prior to the game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona is recovering and remains at home.
The Cleveland Indians have been managed by Sandy Alomar Jr. for over half of the 2020 season due to Terry Francona dealing with health issues, culminating in a procedure last week.
The reported problems were gastrointestinal, while the latest on the manager reveals he also had some issues involving clots.
Terry Francona’s health remains the most important thing
Francona is one of the more likable managers in all professional sports and right now he should focus on getting healthy. The Indians have jumped out to a 17-12 start and have been fine with Alomar at the helm. The former Indians catcher is arguably ready to be a manager and has had interviews in the past.
Francona has always remained positive even with his health issues and could have decided to stay home for the entire season. Instead, it seems the front office has to remind him he needs to get back to full strength before returning.
He is a baseball lifer and getting him back this season could even provide a boost to an Indians team dealing with some internal turmoil due to a few pitchers not caring too much about being smart when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. But having Francona as manager helped that situation not get too out of hand, even though he is considered an at-risk individual for the virus.
The Indians are better with Francona in the dugout, but staying home until he feels back to normal is what matters now. Rushing back only puts him at risk for complications and that is the last thing he needs right now during this weird 2020 season.