AP

WSox manager La Russa out indefinitely with health issue

Aug 31, 2022, 1:25 AM | Updated: 3:05 pm

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa walks on the field during the second inning of a baseball g...

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa walks on the field during the second inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox manager Tony La Russa is out indefinitely because of an unspecified health issue.

The 77-year-old La Russa missed Tuesday night’s 9-7 loss to Kansas City on the recommendation of his doctors. The team said he is scheduled to undergo additional testing in Arizona with his personal physicians “over the coming days.”

Bench coach Miguel Cairo will continue to serve as acting manager while La Russa is out.

“It’s unbelievably tough,” outfielder Andrew Vaughn said. “We really don’t have much information on what’s going on.”

La Russa’s absence on Tuesday was announced about one hour before the first pitch. The Hall of Famer showed no signs of health issues during his pregame session with reporters and while talking to general manager Rick Hahn and former Oakland Athletics pitching great Dave Stewart before the game.

Right fielder Gavin Sheets spent Tuesday with La Russa and said he was “blindsided” when he learned of his manager’s absence after batting practice.

“I found out on Twitter,” Vaughn said. “I saw that the White Sox posted something, and I was like ‘Oh my goodness. This is crazy.’ And then we had to just go play.”

Cairo said he spoke with La Russa and exchanged text messages Wednesday regarding the lineup and potential in-game matchups before he departed for Arizona.

“I’m going to be calling him whenever I can,” Cairo said. “I’m going to text or call and see how he’s doing. But he will be back.”

La Russa is in the second season of his second managerial stint with Chicago. The team began the year with championship aspirations, but it has been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments.

Heading into the second game of their series against the Royals, the White Sox had dropped five in a row to fall to 63-66. Chants of “Fire Tony! Fire Tony!” have been heard at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“I understand that we want to compete and win and prepare and do the best that we can, and that’s what we get paid to do,” reliever Kendall Graveman said. “But at the end of the day, there’s stuff that I feel is vital and way more important than playing the game of baseball.

“He needs to go be with his family and take care of himself in the moment. I am uncertain what’s going on with the details, but hopefully we’ll hear more in the future and it’s all good news going for him.”

La Russa, who is close friends with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, was a surprise hire in October 2020, and he directed to the team to the AL Central title last year.

He started his managing career with the White Sox during the 1979 season. He won the World Series with Oakland in 1989 and St. Louis in 2006 and 2011.

La Russa and Sparky Anderson are the only managers to win the World Series in the American and National leagues.

La Russa was enshrined in Cooperstown in 2014. He got his first major league managing job at age 34 when the White Sox promoted him from Triple-A to replace the fired Don Kessinger. He took over that August and led them to a 522-510 record over parts of eight seasons.

“I can’t be Tony La Russa,” said Cairo, who played for La Russa with the Cardinals. “He’s a Hall of Famer. He’s got a lot of wins. But I’ve learned so much from him.”

Chicago also made four moves before Wednesday night’s matchup with Kansas City. Right-hander Lance Lynn was reinstated from the bereavement list, and catcher Yasmani Grandal was activated from the 10-day injured list. Left-hander Tanner Banks and catcher Carlos Pérez were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

Grandal, 33, had been sidelined by a left knee strain. The switch hitter is batting .203 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 74 games this season.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

WSox manager La Russa out indefinitely with health issue