Indians manager Terry Francona stepped away from the team in July to undergo a hip replacement and left foot surgery, and president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti updated reporters (including MLB.com’s Mandy Bell) on the skipper’s progress today. Francona has now undergone both procedures, and is recovering in Cleveland with plans for him to soon return to his home in Arizona for further convalescence. Most importantly, Francona is “recovering well,” according to Antonetti, and “his mindset is in a much better place than he was a couple of months ago.”
While Francona’s health remains the priority, Antonetti also said that the manager has already begun making some plans for the 2022 team. There wasn’t any question that Francona would be welcomed back for his 10th season in Cleveland’s dugout if he was able, and the prospects of that return are looking a bit brighter now that Francona’s procedures have taken place. “We continue to plan looking at ’22 with Tito as our manager. If at some point that changes, we’re going to have to reconsider and relook at things at that point. But we have no reason to think that will be the case,” Antonetti said.
More from the soon-to-be Guardians….
- Antonetti also provided reporters (including The Athletic’s Zack Meisel) with updates on some injured Cleveland players, including the news that top prospect Nolan Jones will probably undergo ankle surgery. Jones was placed on the minor league injured list at the start of September with a high ankle sprain, and this procedure will help Jones be be fully healthy for the start of Spring Training. Jones has played the entire season at Triple-A Columbus, hitting .238/.356/.431 with 13 home runs over 407 plate appearances. Jones is ranked among the top 100 prospects in the sport by both MLB.com (69th) and Baseball America (75th).
- Shane Bieber’s second rehab start is scheduled for tomorrow, when the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is expected to throw 55-60 pitches or four innings of work for the Columbus affiliate. Bieber has been out of action for more than two months due to a shoulder strain, though he tentatively appears to be on pace to get back to the Indians roster before the season is over.
All hail Tito.
Just counting down the days until I’m done with them.
Go Diamondbacks? Braves? Rangers?
You are a glutton for punishment sir…
The name change do it for you?
Chief Wahoo being banished started it. The name sealed it.
OH gosh grow up
Oh, gosh….butt out.
suffer – you did bring it up…
Well, yeah. But I didn’t invite the insult.
And millions of Native Americans didn’t invite the Cleveland MLB team to use Chief Wahoo as their symbol. Nobody wants to be insulted.
Then take it up with the owner.
He’s finally doing something to make the situation better, and you’re bailing on the team because of it?
I didn’t see a problem with the “situation.” He’s made things worse.
Maybe he should try fixing the problem with the sorry team he’s allowed to be assembled.
You felt insulted by a comment telling you to “grow up,” but Chief Wahoo wasn’t an insulting situation? Interesting perspective.
The owner certainly is being cheap, but the team has been pretty good the last few years.
Never felt insulted…..except by your stupid take on the whole “situation.”
“Well, yeah. But I didn’t invite the insult ”
-sufferfortribe 2
Geez, just because there was one doesn’t mean I was. Are you new to this?
Now, I’ll let you have the final comment, because you’re boring me.
Then you weren’t much a of a fan. I hate the new name, but be realistic. The name Cleveland is the one that is most important to me.
I have been a fan since around 1965. I suffered through all the crap years. Don’t try and say I haven’t been much of a fan.
As for the city name? I don’t live in Cleveland, never have, and don’t even live in Ohio anymore. I’ve had to put up with smack talk since 1989, when I moved to SoKal.
I am the very definition of a fan. But when ownership decided to diss fans like me, with the Wahoo and Indians decisions, that’s just like spitting in my face. They can take their sorry team and stick it where the sun don’t shine.
Native Americans have said they aren’t offended. Quit giving false information.
Many Native Americans have said they are offended. Quit giving out false information.
It’s a shame we can’t make team names of slurs for evangelicals, or small business owners taking taxpayer handouts. They’d be my favorite team for sure.
Cleveland 4 Corporate Welfare?
It sounds more like a PAC than a team name. But it might offend people who actually deserve to be offended.
Try adapting instead of quitting. That’s what adults do.
I would like to see Tito at least get to manage one more full season if he’s able to. After spending 25 of the last 30 seasons managing between the Majors/Minors Terry’s earned a break
Do we still get to count how many years it has been since the Tribe won a World Series?
Yes and no as the Indians will end with a 73 year championshipless drought but technically the Guardians will start a new while keeping the numbers at the same time
The article indicates that Bieber gets his 2nd rehab start with Columbus in Toledo on Sunday.
However the AA Akron team announced on Friday that Bieber was getting the rehab start in Akron.on Sunday. Even the MiLB app has Bieber listed as starter for Akron on Sunday..
It will be interesting to see where Bieber starts before returning to the CLE rotation later this week…
I’m sure Akron, closer to Cleveland and pumping their own attendance as every other MLB team does with rehab assignments.
What’s interesting and welcome is that he is pitching. Where he’s pitching, be it Akron or Columbus, is not interesting, unless you happen to be attending one of those games. This is not a development issue. Bieber is simply building up pitches and innings.
In today’s world “Guardians” is known for court cases,broken up families etc… Odd choice for a ball club.