(670 The Score) White Sox manager Tony La Russa recently had a pacemaker inserted for his heart while on his medical leave of absence, he told the Associated Press on Sunday.
La Russa, 77, rejoined the White Sox in Oakland on Sunday, but he hasn't yet been cleared by doctors to return to the dugout to manage. La Russa started his medical leave on Aug. 30 on the advice of his doctors, then traveled to Arizona for extensive medical testing. He was in Oakland on Sunday to help celebrate former Athletics ace Dave Stewart's jersey retirement ceremony.
"Health is nothing to mess with," La Russa told the Associated Press. "So I got checked in Chicago and the reason that I flew to Arizona is that's been the place since the '90s I've had my physicals. They addressed it, they fixed it and now it's just a question of regaining strength."
La Russa remains uncertain when he'll be cleared to return to the dugout to manage. He's scheduled to fly home with the White Sox from Oakland on Sunday after the series finale, then the team has an off day Monday before hosting the Rockies at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday.
"I don't plan on being in uniform until the say it's time to put a uniform on," La Russa told reporters.
The White Sox are 9-3 in La Russa's absence and entered Sunday trailing the AL Central-leading Guardians by 1.5 games.
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