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Indians manager Terry Francona released from hospital after heart procedure

Terry francona
Posted at 10:32 AM, Jul 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-08 11:57:24-04

Indians manager Terry Francona has been released from the hospital after undergoing a heart procedure earlier this week. 

The team confirmed Friday that Francona underwent a cardiac ablation procedure to correct a cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). He is expected to make a full recovery and will likely resume managing the team beginning July 14.

He will not be managing the All-Star Game in Miami. 

The 58-year-old was hospitalized twice last month and doctors admitted him Tuesday, about one week after he began wearing a heart monitor.

While Francona is out, bench coach Brad Mills will manage the team. 

Mills managed the Houston Astros for three seasons. He is Francona's closest friend. They played together at Arizona and Mills was on Francona's staff in Philadelphia and Boston before coming with him to Cleveland five years ago.

Francona's health has been an issue for nearly a month, and his clouded situation has contributed to the Indians, who entered Thursday's game at 44-39 and leading the AL Central, playing inconsistently. 

Francona had a health scare last year when he complained of chest pains before an August game in Washington. He was cleared by doctors, and Francona guided the Indians to the pennant and World Series, where they lost in seven games to the Chicago Cubs. Francona was named AL Manager of the Year for the second time.

Francona had his right hip surgically replaced during the offseason, and he missed the winter meetings while rehabbing at his home in Arizona. He was ready for spring training camp and seemed to be doing well this season before he became dizzy during a June 13 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had a similar episode on June 26, when Mills took over for him early in a game against Texas.