CLEVELAND GuardiansTerry Francona, manager of Major League Baseball, has passed Major League Baseball's safety and health protocols. He returned to the team following four games missing with COVID-19.
Francona will be returning for Wednesday's game against The Cincinnati RedsDeMarlo Hale, the bench coach. Both of them tested positive last week for COVID-19. The Guardians were in Chicago, so they returned to Ohio by bus to continue their trip to Minnesota.
Justin Toole, the Guardians' hitting analyst, is also back. The Guardians have had to deal with two different outbreaks over recent weeks.
First baseman Josh NaylorThe virus has left only one Guardians player, Sandy Alomar, with no other options. Sandy Alomar (first-base coach) and Mike Sarbaugh (third-base coach), remain sidelined despite testing positive.
Francona (63 years old) is in his 10th Cleveland season. Although he experienced some symptoms over the weekend, he has been feeling better the last few days. To deal with serious health issues, he missed the last two seasons.
Francona has been returned, and Carl Willis, the pitching coach, is back to his usual duties. He was acting manager until Francona's return.
After missing three games, Chris Valaika was back at the Guardians as a hitting coach.
