The length of Tony La Russa’s absence from the White Sox got a little more clear Saturday, when the team announced the Hall of Fame manager has been directed by his doctors not to return for the rest of the season.
Left unaddressed was whether La Russa will return in 2023, especially after he went through additional testing and medical procedures in the past week, according to the Sox.
General manager Rick Hahn, who returned from a bout of COVID, said he spoke with La Russa early Saturday and followed his wishes to keep much of his medical information private.
La Russa, who will turn 78 on Oct. 4, told Hahn he plans to follow a treatment protocol.
‘‘As for the inevitable question — ‘Well, what does that mean for next season?’ — we are going to finish up this season first and then address everything when it’s appropriate to turn the page at the end of this year,’’ Hahn said.
Since La Russa’s departure Aug. 30, the Sox entered their game Saturday against the Tigers with a 13-10 record under acting manager Miguel Cairo, who will finish the season in La Russa’s absence.
But since they pulled to 1½ games of the Guardians in the American League Central, the Sox had lost seven of their last 11 games to drop eight games out of first place with 11 games left.
That slide has heightened the discontent among a large majority of Sox fans, who envisioned a second consecutive division title under La Russa and deep run in the playoffs.
It also has raised speculation about next season and whether La Russa will be medically cleared to manage.
When asked whether La Russa still intends to manage, Hahn replied: ‘‘Right now, the focus is on his health. Right now, the focus is fully on his health.’’
La Russa’s last public appearance came Sept. 11 in Oakland to attend the jersey retirement of pitcher Dave Stewart, whom he managed with the Athletics. La Russa attended the event, as well as a roast the previous night, but only after receiving medical clearance.
La Russa didn’t accompany the Sox on their trip home from Oakland to Chicago, and additional examinations and procedures made the update of his status necessary, Hahn said.
It’s possible that La Russa’s health might dictate whether he will return in 2023, but Hahn was firm in keeping details of La Russa’s condition private.
Cairo was just as guarded in answering a question about whether he wanted the manager’s job permanently.
‘‘As of right now, we’ve got 11 more games,’’ Cairo said. ‘‘I don’t know what’s going to happen. [La Russa’s] got one more year, but I don’t know what’s going to happen.’’
Cairo said La Russa sounded well during a 15-minute telephone conversation Friday.
‘‘We’ve got a job to do: We’ve got to finish strong,’’ Cairo said. ‘‘I talked to the players today. I let them know . . . it’s 11 more games, let’s finish strong.’’
Hahn reiterated his praise of Cairo, his coaching staff and the players for adjusting without their manager.
‘‘I feel that, in many ways, they haven’t missed a beat, which they deserve a lot of credit for,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘The focus has been on the games and the series right in front of them, as opposed to any uncertainty.
‘‘At the same time, Tony is in their thoughts, and there has been communication with Tony and well wishes passed along. In no way do I feel the club has been distracted, despite the circumstances. [It has been] a very professional response.’’
