CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago White Sox head coach Tony LaRusa will not return to the dugout this season.
La Russa, 78th birthday in October. 4. “Additional testing and medical procedures have been performed over the past week,” the team said Saturday, and doctors have instructed the Hall of Famer to stay out of administration for the remainder of the season.
Backup coach Miguel Cairo will continue as acting White Sox manager.
“The focus right now is his health,” general manager Rick Hahn said when asked if La Russa still wanted to manage.
La Russa left the White Sox before August. Dealing with heart problems in 30 games against Kansas City. In September, he rejoined the Auckland club. The 11th flew back to Chicago for a two-game series against Colorado.
La Russa is awaiting clearance to return to the dugout and manage during the game. But Chicago has just 11 games left on Saturday night against Detroit.
“We will continue to follow his wishes and keep most of the specifics and his personal information private,” Hahn said Saturday. “I did talk to him on the road this morning, and he told us to let everyone know his plans. There is no objection to the treatment regimen adhered to. As a result, he will not be able to manage the rest of the season.
“As for the inevitable question, ‘What does this mean for next season?’ We’re going to end the season first, and then in due course we’ll address all the issues, turning the page at the end of the year.”
Cairo said he spoke with La Rusa for about 15 minutes on Friday night and he did well. When asked if he wanted to manage the job, Cairo said he was focused on the current season.
“Now we have 11 games left,” Cairo said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. He has a year left.”
“I talked to the players today and I let them know that there are 11 games left,” said Cairo, who is the substitute coach. “Let’s finish strong.”
The White Sox have won 10 of their first 14 games in Cairo but lost four in a row, trailing AL Central leaders Cleveland, who entered Saturday, for a season-high eight.
“Meggie and the coaches did a really good job,” Hahn said. “We’ve seen it at all stages, unfortunately not in the last four days or so, but over a long period of time over the past few weeks this team has been performing at a level that we think is capable throughout the season .. It’s a little too late in the year.
“But I think these guys deserve a lot of credit for the way they’re being forced on them on the fly, the way they react, both in the coaching room and the way they react.”
Tigers manager AJ Hinch said La Rusa’s health is “number one.” 1 question. “
“These jobs are stressful; you can’t take your health for granted,” Hinch said. “As men in the sport, we don’t usually ask for help, so I’m glad he’s fine. In terms of management, he’s a Hall of Famer. He’s done what any of us who have ever held that position could only dream of. Different teams, different leagues, different career accomplishments, the number of players he’s touched, the staff he’s developed, his resume speaks for itself, and his influence in the game should always be respected.”
The White Sox also made several lineup changes. Hahn said outfielder Louis Robert will be suspended this season because his sprained left wrist became more uncomfortable after being hit by the field. Chicago placed Robert on the 10-day injured list Saturday. Outfielder Mark Payton was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte.
Relief Joe Kelly returned from family medical leave, and southpaw Tanner Banks was selected to Charlotte.
Shortstop Tim Anderson could be on the injured list this season with a torn sagittal band in his left middle finger. 9, Hahn said. Anderson is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
“It’s really a question of whether it makes sense at this time of the year to try and rush into that two-week window, or let nature take its course and let him fully recover into the offseason,” Hahn said.
Right-hander Michael Kopech’s right shoulder is in good shape, but the White Sox have discussed when to remove the cyst on his knee, Hahn said. In September, Kopech was placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder. 17.
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