Manager heads home

TORONTO -- It wasn't the Yankees or a heart condition that gave Terry Francona chest pains. It was revealed yesterday after two days of extensive testing the likely cause of the Red Sox manager's discomfort was a recent "viral illness," according to team medical director Dr. Thomas Gill.

With major heart problems ruled out, Francona, accompanied by his wife, Jacque, was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital yesterday afternoon and will recuperate over the weekend. He is scheduled to return to work Monday for the Fenway Park opener against the Yankees.

"He will be monitored over the weekend by the Red Sox medical staff, and should be ready to return to the bench on Monday," Gill said in a statement. "He is in good spirits, and is extremely eager to return to the team."

That sentiment was seconded by interim manager Brad Mills, who managed the Sox to a 7-3 win over the Yankees in New York Wednesday while Francona underwent tests at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Mills said he spoke to Francona "two or three times" yesterday and the two have talked about players and lineups. Mills will manage the team this weekend.

"He's just dying to be a part of this thing, but after consulting with the doctors and everyone, I think he knows it's best to try and relax as much as possible," Mills said. "That might be impossible knowing Terry, but I think its it's best for him to relax for a few a days."

Gill, who thanked the staff of New York-Presbyterian for their care of Francona, said the manager underwent "an extensive examination and array of tests in conjunction with team internist Dr. Larry Ronan and team cardiologist Dr. Jim Januzzi. Terry's symptoms were felt to be the sequelae of a recent viral illness. There was no evidence of serious heart trouble identified."

Mills confirmed Francona had a test that involved dye injection that is used to monitor blockages in the heart. Mills called the procedure an angiogram. Others close to the situation have called it a catheterization procedure.

"He's very much relieved that the blockage isn't what they had feared and that they didn't have to go in and do things like stents or whatever it is they have to do if there was more blockage," Mills said.

Mills, being a good friend of Francona's, was asked if there's a special diet that Francona, who has had 11 knee surgeries and has survived pulmonary embolisms on both lungs, would have to adhere to.

"There are some things he's already done," Mills said. "He stopped chewing [tobacco] and I think there are some other things that he's going to continue to do. He's always tried to work out and be healthy. Hopefully, he doesn't have to worry about anything else."

Francona has been advised by doctors to lay low over the next couple of days, including canceling interviews. It is unclear if Francona is taking medication.

In a statement released by the team, Francona thanked "everyone who wrote and called. Your well wishes certainly lifted my spirits during these challenging days. I'd also like to thank everyone at Mass. General and New York Hospital. From the ambulance driver to all of the doctors and nurses, everyone was terrific."

He added, "As much as I want to return to my responsibilities, the medical people have made it clear I should wait a couple of days," Francona said. "In the meantime, I'll be watching the games on TV, second-guessing Millsie, and counting the hours until I can return to the dugout and get back to work."

When told of his statement, Mills laughed and said, "I'll bet he said that."

Mills said he's discussed team business with Francona quite often the past few days.

Players seemed relieved by the news their manager is on the road to recovery.

"Oh yeah," said right fielder Trot Nixon. "Terry doesn't play the game anymore but he's the guy who steers the ship around here. He's our leader. I think we were all concerned about what Terry had gone through and we were praying that everything turned out all right. He'll take a few days off and then be ready to go again."