Guardians GM tells manager to take time in recovery following hospitalization

According to an Associated Press and ESPN report, with temperatures approaching triple digits for Cleveland's Thursday afternoon road game against the Kansas City Royals, Guardians general manager Mike Chernoff talked with "Tito" about taking some extra time before resuming his duties.

"I think with the weather we're going to have it was best for him to sit this one out," the GM said, per the report.

Chernoff is also reportedly considering asking the 64-year-old Francona (who was back with the team on Thursday) to continue healing up in Chicago this weekend before returning to work, given the ongoing air quality issues from the Canadian wildfires.

Cleveland is scheduled to start a three-game road series against the Cubs on Friday.

The reigning AL Manager of the Year spent Tuesday night at The University of Kansas Health System and was released on Wednesday, after experiencing lightheadedness ahead of the Guardians opener vs. the Royals. 

According to the report, the team said all of Francona's tests "came back within normal ranges" and Chernoff said he was doing "much better," but he was advised by doctors to stay away from the ballpark and rest.

Francona has dealt with multiple health issues in recent years.

He underwent a heart procedure in 2017 and missed the All-Star Game (he was supposed to manage the AL team) and then in 2020, he managed only 14 games in the pandemic-altered campaign due to gastrointestinal problems. Francona missed the second half of the 2021 season because of a staph infection in his toe and had a hip replacement that year as well.

"I think you always have to be super cautious given his history," Chernoff said, per the report. "But again, we're thankful that everything seems to be OK this time."