Francona rejoins Guardians after bout with COVID

Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona missed so much time over the past two seasons that even a four-game absence was difficult.

“This was forced retirement,” he said. “It wasn't very fun.”

Francona and two of his coaches cleared health and safety protocols and returned to the team after missing part of the past week after testing positive for COVID-19.

Francona was to be back for Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds along with bench coach DeMarlo Hale and assistant hitting coach Justin Toole. The trio tested positive with coronavirus last week while the Guardians were in Chicago and returned to Ohio by bus as the team continued its trip to Minnesota.

However, Francona's return was delayed another day as the Reds and Guardians were postponed until today by rain.

The Guardians have dealt with two separate outbreaks in recent weeks, and the latest rash of cases has heightened the team's awareness.

“Up to this point I think we feel pretty fortunate,” Francona said. “It was starting to work its way through. Once it gets into the clubhouse, everybody's breathing on each other.

“We're going to have to mask up indoors just to take care. Because once it happens, it's kind of too late.”

First baseman Josh Naylor remains the only

Guardians player currently sidelined with the virus. Naylor is close to returning and was back in the clubhouse.

The 63-year-old Francona, in his 10th season with Cleveland, dealt with some symptoms over the weekend but has felt better the past few days. He missed most of the last two seasons to handle some serious health issues.

Sandy Alomar and Mike Sarbaugh, the team's respective first- and thirdbase coaches, are still sidelined after testing positive.

Hitting coach Chris Valaika returned to the Guardians on Tuesday after missing three games.

Twins' Correa returns, Lewis gets sent down

The Minnesota Twins reinstated shortstop Carlos Correa from the injured list and sent thriving rookie Royce Lewis back to TripleA St. Paul.

Correa missed 11 games with a bruised right middle finger, after a pitch hit him there while he gripped the handle of the bat in the middle of a swing.

Correa was held out two days past the minimum stay. Lewis didn't miss a beat, deftly filling in at shortstop and contributing at the plate during his 11game big league debut. The first overall pick in the 2017 draft out of JSerra High hit .308 with four doubles, two homers, five RBIs and five runs in 39 at-bats, but the Twins preferred he continue to get regular playing time at shortstop.