Indians’ Manager Terry Francona Expected to Rejoin the Team for the Playoffs

Terry Francona with the Cleveland Indians in 2018
Terry Francona with the Cleveland Indians in 2018. Photo by John Fisher/CSM/Shutterstock (9666040bf)

Cleveland Indians were without manager Terry Francona in the dugout for the better part of the regular season, but this could possibly change in the playoffs. According to multiple reports, Francona will enter MLB’s postseason bubble as he is expected to rejoin the team for the postseason.

Francona previously missed 41 games this season, having experienced several health issues earlier in the year. He has been away from the team since mid-August, with first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. taking over on an interim basis.

The news was later confirmed by Cleveland’s president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti.

“He will be in the bubble with us, he will be in the quarantine,” said Antonetti. “That preserves as many options for us moving forward. It also gives Tito an opportunity to be around the team, even if it’s not in the dugout.”

Francona took over the Indians in 2013 and led the team to four postseason trips since then. He was named AL Manager of the Year twice for his work in Cleveland.

The absence of Francona didn’t put off Indians too much, as they already managed to clinch the playoff spot earlier in the week. Cleveland is currently sitting third in AL Central with a 32-24 record, but don’t find themselves too far being leading Minnesota Wild (35-22) and No.2 Chicago White Sox (34-22).

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