Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker is slated to resume his managing duties on Monday in St. Louis when the Reds kick off their final regular season series against the Cardinals, reports John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Fay met with Baker briefly Thursday morning and discussed his health:
"I feel better than before," he said. Baker, dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, looked noticeably thinner....
He was smiling and joking about his stay in the hospital. "I’ve never been poked so much in my life," Baker said. "I asked the one nurse if I had any blood left."
Baker was admitted to the hospital last Wednesday in Chicago to undergo tests to check for pneumonia. The doctors ruled out any pulmonary problems but found that he was actually suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat. Baker remained in the hospital until Friday and was set to be discharged when he suffered a mild stroke.
Baker was finally discharged from the hospital on Sunday and returned to Cincinnati where he has been resting at home. The Reds have gone 5-3 in Baker's absence and clinched the NL Central last Saturday night.