Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, hospitalized in downtown Chicago with an irregular heartbeat he felt Wednesday afternoon, will remain in care until Friday, it was reported Thursday.
Baker underwent tests but is still expected to be released Friday, when he'll fly back to Cincinnati. Baker left a lineup card for Thursday's game before being transported to the hospital.
The Reds wrap up a series with the Chicago Cubs Thursday, then go home to host the wild-card contending Los Angeles Dodgers for a weekend series. It remains to be seen if Baker will manage on Friday, but Chris Speier, who is managing the Reds in Baker's absence, says he wouldn't be surprised if Baker is back in the dugout that night.
Said Speier:
"That would be a situation that I’m sure, knowing Dusty, yes he will... But then it’ll be doctor’s orders as to what he’s specifically and probably allowed to do or not to do. This is so premature, I don’t have an answer to that. But if it was Dusty’s decision and he’s OK to go back to Cincinnati, I’m sure he’d want to be managing again (Friday)."
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