Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa is close to returning from medical leave.
The New York Post first reported, and other outlets confirmed, that La Russa could be back some time next week. He also could make an appearance in Oakland on Sunday, where the White Sox are playing the Athetics, for the jersey retirement ceremony of Dave Stewart, who pitched for La Russa.
“There’s nothing official,” acting manager Miguel Cairo said Friday, per MLB.com. “We’ll wait and see. We don’t know yet.”
La Russa left the team on Aug. 30 for medical reasons, with the White Sox announcing the following day that the manager would be traveling to Arizona to undergo testing under the supervision of his personal physician.
In his absence, the White Sox (70-68) are 7-3 and have climbed into a second-place tie with the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central, with both teams entering play Friday just 1 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Guardians.
Cairo said La Russa, who turns 78 next month, is doing well.
“He’s fine,” Cairo said. “I talk to him every day. He sounds fine, and he’s doing good.”
–Field Level Media