Guardians manager Terry Francona tests positive for COVID, will not manage Wednesday
CHICAGO -- Terry Francona has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not manage Wednesday’s series finale against the White Sox. A release by the Guardians said Francona feels good, but it’s not known how long he’ll be away from the team.
Bench coach DeMarlo Hale will manage the club in Francona’s absence.
Wednesday morning the team held a meeting about masks. It’s unclear if any other players, coaches and staff have tested positive. It is known that the entire coaching staff was being tested and going through close contact protocols before Wednesday’s game.
Hale was scheduled to meet with reporters before the game, but that was canceled because the team’s medical staff wanted to get the test results first.
The Guardians just went through a recent COVID outbreak with Yu Chang, Cal Quantrill, Anthony Castro and Owen Miller. They all had to go through COVID protocols and spent time away from the team. Chang is the only one still on the COVID injury list.
The only regular missing from the Guardians lineup that was posted before Wednesday’s game was center fielder Myles Straw. Oscar Mercado started in center with Steven Kwan moving to left and Franmil Reyes starting in right.
In the last two years Francona has missed big chunks of the season with health problems. But those were seemingly behind him following surgery last year on his left hip and left big toe. He has managed every game to date for the 15-15 Guardians.
Hale took over as manager at the end of July last year when Francona stepped down to have hip and foot surgery. Hale managed the final 63 games, leading the Indians to a 30-33 record.
Francona managed just 14 games in the 2020 60-game sprint. First base coach Sandy Alomar replaced Francona and led the Indians to a wild card berth.
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