The Guardians have climbed back into AL Central contention in what's been an underwhelming season, but a health scare for manager Terry Francona represents a new challenge.
Francona missed Cleveland's series opener against the Royals on Tuesday night, with bench coach DeMarlo Hale taking over in the interim.
The 64-year-old, currently the longest-tenured manager in baseball in his 11th season with the Guardians, has dealt with a series of health issues over the years. He was able to complete the 2022 season without missing time, leading Cleveland to an AL Central title and winning Manager of the Year honors, but he missed extended time the previous two years.
As the Guardians attempt to salvage their season, uncertainty in the manager's role might suddenly be one more obstacle they'll have to overcome.
MORE: Latest MLB All-Star Game roster predictions
Here's what you need to know about Francona's health and his history of scares.
Terry Francona health update
Update — June 28
The Guardians say Francona will not manage Wednesday night's game against the Royals and has been advised to rest for a "day or two."
Fortunately, Francona's illness was revealed to be lightheadedness, and the Guardians said all of his tests came back "within normal ranges."
Terry Francona won't manage tonight, has been advised to rest "for the next day or two" and is considered day-to-day after feeling lightheadedness before yesterday's game. All hospital tests returned results "within normal ranges." DeMarlo Hale will manage until Francona returns.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 28, 2023
June 28
The Guardians didn't offer many details on Tuesday night, announcing that Francona wasn't feeling well prior to the game and would undergo precautionary testing at a Kansas City hospital.
Terry Francona will not manage tonight in Kansas City. He didn't feel well pregame and he opted to receive additional testing from stadium personnel out of extreme caution due to his medical history.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) June 28, 2023
DeMarlo Hale will manage in his place.
It sounds like the situation arose shortly before first pitch. Hale said after the win that he didn't have any details because he only found out he'd be managing 15 minutes prior to the game. Francona spent the night at the hospital.
At this time, there is no update on Francona's status for the Guardians' Wednesday night game against the Royals. There also isn't any confirmation about his exact illness.
Francona has a lengthy history of health scares during his time in Cleveland, which led the team to take every precaution on Tuesday.
MORE: Will the Mets fire Buck Showalter?
Terry Francona health history
Francona's concerning history of medical issues is partly the reason for the precautions being taken. Here's a closer look at the three-time Manager of the Year's history of health troubles.
2002: Francona suffers pulmonary embolism
Francona has dealt with a few blood-clotting issues, including a blood clot in his lungs early in his tenure with the Red Sox.
2005: Tests reveal Francona has clogged arteries
Francona suffered severe chest pains during the 2005 season. While he initially said the pain was likely the result of a viral illness, tests did reveal clogged arteries.
Doctors determined Francona did not suffer a heart attack, though at just 46 years old at the time, it was a troubling development for the World Series-winning manager.
2017: Francona misses time after heart surgery
Francona missed time near the All-Star break in 2017 after undergoing surgery to address an irregular heartbeat.
2020: Francona spends time in ICU amid blood-clotting issue
The most concerning health scare of Francona's managerial career came during the shortened 2020 season, when he spent four days in the intensive-care unit after gastrointestinal surgery resulted in blood clots and more procedures.
With the U.S. in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time, it was an especially high-risk situation for Francona.
"It was getting a little hairy there," Francona told the Associated Press in 2020, adding that he felt guilty not being with his team during a challenging year. He was in the dugout for only 14 games that season.
Francona also revealed he had undergone two knee replacements and one hip replacement in his life.
2021: Francona misses final 63 games to address health
While Francona rejected the idea he could step down, he wound up stepping aside for the final 63 games of the 2021 season to address multiple health issues. Francona was dealing with a hip issue and also recovering from a staph infection in his toe.
2023: Francona stays overnight in hospital after missing game
It isn't yet known what Francona is dealing with, but his latest unplanned absence raises more questions about his future in Cleveland. For now, however, his well-being is the main priority.
