CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians manager Terry Francona is stepping down for the remainder of this season to address some health issues.
The 62-year-old Francona has been wearing a boot on his right foot all season after undergoing toe surgery for a staph infection in February.
He’s also dealing with a hip problem, which will require surgery.
This is the second year in a row Francona, a two-time World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, has been sidelined due to his health.
He managed just 14 games in 2020 due to a serious gastrointestinal issue that landed him in the Cleveland Clinic for weeks.
Bench coach DeMarlo Hale will fill in while Francona is out.
Indians trade Hernandez to White Sox
The Indians probably can’t catch the Chicago White Sox, so they’re helping their AL Central rival.
Cleveland traded second baseman Cesar Hernandez to the first-place White Sox in return for minor league pitcher Konnor Pilkington.
The White Sox lead the Indians by 8 1/2 games.
They’ve been in the market for a second baseman since starter Nick Madrigal suffered a season-ending hamstring tear on June 10.
In Hernandez, Chicago is getting a Gold Glove defender who can bat leadoff and drive in runs.
The 31-year-old is hitting .231 in his second season with the Indians with eight home runs and 47 RBIs in 96 games.