Cincinnati Reds Manager Francona, Several Players Affected by Illness
Reds manager Terry Francona and some players were sidelined by illness ahead of Friday's game, with bench coach Freddie Benavides stepping in.
Published on April 11, 2025
On April 4, 2025, Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona was sidelined due to an illness just ahead of Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Concerned about providing a competitive advantage, Reds president Nick Krall did not name all of the players sent back to the hotel, leaving details sparse.
Bench coach Freddie Benavides stepped in to manage the game, while the starting lineup still featured key players like Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, T.J. Friedl, and Nick Martinez. Outfielders Spencer Steer and Jake Fraley, along with catcher Jose Trevino (who reported feeling well), were notably absent. The Reds continue to investigate the nature of the illness amid a challenging three-game 1-0 losing streak.