CLEVELAND - Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona is resting comfortably after toe surgery, his second operation after being sidelined for the season in July.
Francona, who had hip replacement surgery in August, had the procedure Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic. The surgery was done to fix his left big toe, which had become infected during the season.
Francona, 62, indulged in walking for months before deciding to leave the team to overcome her medical issues. It would take Francona months to recover from toe surgery.
Francona's replacement bench coach DeMarlo Hale said he was sure his good friend was relieved now that surgery was behind him.
"Exactly. I've told him too," Hale said before the Indians faced the Minnesota Twins. “I think it is the right thing to do because he will be able to spend time in the off-season when he is not against the clock trying to get to spring training.
"It's a big step today and he'll get through it, and he's on rehab period and I think it's going to work out well. Get around the holidays and thank you, all should be well, and that's what I do." I am certainly praying and hoping."
It's been barely two years for Francona. He briefly managed only 14 games during the 2020 season because of a gastrointestinal problem complicated by a blood clot that landed him in intensive care.
Francona announced on 29 July that he was leaving the team. He made a good comeback from a hip replacement, and he also took part in a few games at Progressive Field while also in ballpark rehab.
A two-time World Series winner in Boston, Francona joined the Indians in 2013 after working for a season as a broadcaster. In 2019, he signed a two-year contract extension through the 2022 season.
The Indians have won eight consecutive seasons under Francona. He led Cleveland to the 2016 World Series, and the club has made it to the postseason five times with him.
Francona has 723 wins with Cleveland, five behind Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau (728) for the most wins in team history.