Guardians game postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak, including manager Terry Francona

Multiple positive tests for COVID-19 within the Cleveland organization forced the postponement of the Guardians game against the Chicago White Sox scheduled for 2:10 p.m. Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Manager Terry Francona, bench coach DeMarlo Hale, other coaches and members of the support staff tested positive, according to team spokesman Bart Swain.

A statement from Major League Baseball said the game was postponed to allow for continued testing and contact tracing.

It was announced earlier in the day that Francona had tested positive and that Hale would take over for Francona in the finale of the three-game series.

The Guardians (15-15) have a day off Thursday before opening a three-game series Friday night in Minnesota against the American League Central-leading Twins. The Guardians had previously said Hale will direct the team in the "near term."

In his second season with the Guardians, Hale also worked under Francona with the Boston Red Sox from 2006-2011.

This season, the Guardians have had four players — infielders Yu Chang and Owen Miller and right-handers Anthony Castro and Cal Quantrill — land on the COVID-19 injured list. Chang was placed on the list on April 15 and remains on a rehab assignment, currently with Triple-A Columbus.

Francona, 63, has missed games due to health issues the previous two seasons.

In 2021, he was forced to step away due to a painful toe problem that involved a staph infection and required surgery. Also undergoing a hip replacement, Francona was absent for the final 63 games beginning on July 30 and Hale directed the team to a 30-33 record over the final two months.

Back to baseball: Guardians manager Terry Francona glad to be healthy and himself again

Expanding his repertoire: Sam Hentges finds home in Guardians bullpen with help of revamped two-seamer

Game of a lifetime: No player has ever had a game like the one Josh Naylor put together Monday night

In 2020, Francona managed only 14 games as he dealt with multiple health concerns, including a blood-clotting issue and a gastrointestinal problem that returned in 2021. First base coach Sandy Alomar took over as Cleveland finished second in the AL Central.

Aaron Civale, Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie set to face Minnesota Twins

The Guardians set their rotation for the Twins series. In Friday's 8:10 p.m. game, Cleveland's Aaron Civale will face Sonny Gray, while Shane Bieber will take on an undetermined starter Saturday at 7:10 p.m. In Sunday's 2:10 p.m. finale, Triston McKenzie will oppose the Twins' Joe Ryan.

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/guardians. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians Terry Francona tests positive for COVID-19