CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Guardians manager Terry Francona and two assistant coaches have been cleared to return from Major League Baseball’s health and safety protocols.
Bench coach DeMarlo Hale, who was supposed to fill in for Francona as acting manager but also tested positive, returned along with hitting analyst Justin Toole.
“This was forced retirement,” Francona joked Wednesday afternoon. “It wasn’t very fun.”
Pitching coach Carl Willis served as acting manager in Francona’s absence.
“We were trying to keep some sense of normalcy and when you’re missing seven guys that’s kind of hard,” Francona said. “We know that players will respect when Carl talks. We just wanted the games to be played like they’re supposed to.
“If Carl had asked me to be the pitching coach while he was out, I’d fall over myself.”
Hitting coach Chris Valaika, who missed three games, returned to the Guardians on Tuesday.
It appears Cleveland avoided a major outbreak with the postponement of just one game last week in Chicago.
“Up to this point I think we feel pretty fortunate,” Francona said. “Once it gets into the clubhouse, everybody’s breathing on each other. We live together but I will say this: it’s not like it’s over and you can let your guard down. I think we’re going to have to mask up indoors just to take care because once it happens it’s kind of too late.”
Naylor Close – First baseman Josh Naylor was in the clubhouse Wednesday, a sign he is close to being able to return from the protocols.
“He’s doing good,” Francona said. “He’ll do some stuff today but obviously we can’t get out on the field but then [Thursday] he will do some stuff on the field. If everything’s good, which we hope, he’ll be back in there Friday.”
Miller Time – Owen Miller joined Baskin and Phelps Wednesday where he spoke about his rise to the Majors and role on the team.
Listen to the conversation in the audio player above.
Miller hit a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings in Tuesday’s 5-4 loss in 10 innings.
Rain Out – Wednesday night’s series finale against the Reds was postponed after a 38-minute delay due to steady rain that was forecast not to let up until late into the night.
Both teams were scheduled to have Thursday off, but the Reds had hoped to spend it in Toronto prior to their weekend series with the Blue Jays.
“They're checked out of their hotel,” Francona said prior to the postponement. “They could stay and play tomorrow which is OK with us - supposed to be a beautiful day – so we're trying to be respectful and do the right thing which is never an easy call.”
This was the fifth home game to be postponed due to weather so far this season.
The game will be played Thursday at 1:10 p.m.
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