Indians expecting manager to return
Francona, 61, missed 48 games in 2020 due to health reasons
The Cleveland Indians expect manager Terry Francona to return for the 2021 season after he missed 48 games in 2020 due to health reasons.
President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said Tuesday that the 61-year Francona is back home in Arizona resting and recovering. Francona was hospitalized during the season after undergoing surgery for a gastrointestinal issue and then dealing with blood clotting complications.
The Indians have made the playoffs eight times since Francona became their manager in 2013.
Francona is expected to speak with the media on Wednesday. He’s missed time over the past three seasons for a variety of medical reasons.
First-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. managed the Indians while Francona was out.
Notes: Yankees pitcher Domingo German was reinstated from the restricted list by the commissioner’s office on Tuesday after completing an 81-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. The 28-year-old right-hander is not eligible to pitch in the postseason because he was on the restricted list on Sept. 15, the last date for postseason eligibility. He will be eligible to pitch at the start of spring training. German was placed on administrative leave on Sept. 19 last year while MLB investigated an alleged domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend, with whom he has at least one child. ... Julio Rangel will not return next season as pitching coach for the Texas Rangers.