Francona leaves game after feeling ill

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona was evaluated by the team’s medical staff after he became ill Monday shortly after a pregame ceremony in which Texas first baseman and former Indian Mike Napoli was presented with his American League championship ring.

Bench coach Brad Mills came out to remove starter Carlos Carrasco in the fourth inning, the first sign the players had that Francona wasn’t there.

The Indians said Francona checked out fine. He experienced similar symptoms when he left a game June 14 and was taken to a hospital. The team wouldn’t say whether Francona had been hospitalized again. An update is expected Tuesday.

“It’s a genuine concern for not just me, but the whole staff and the team, as well,” Mills said. “I’m glad the doctors checked him out, and we’ll move down the road and hopefully we’ll know something tomorrow.”

Francona, 57, left a game two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He underwent tests and was released from the hospital a few hours later. He returned to work the following night.

Francona also missed a game last season in August after experiencing chest pains. Rodriguez to Nats? Washington is pursuing a minor-league deal with recently released relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez, a person familiar with the situation told the Washington Post. Rodriguez lost the closer’s job with Detroit this season and had a 7.82 ERA when the Tigers released him.

Briefly: Miami traded shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to Tampa Bay for two minor-leaguers, pitcher Ethan Clark and outfielder Braxton Lee . ... Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro left Monday’s game against the White Sox with a hamstring injury. Also, the Yankees placed outfielder Aaron Hicks (oblique) on the DL and activated outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.