Although you do brace yourself for surprising and concerning medical news at the start of Spring Training, you are usually thinking about pitcher arm injuries popping up – not a surprise announcement about the manager.
The Yankees have announced that manager Aaron Boone is stepping away because he will be undergoing surgery to receive a pacemaker:
The New York Yankees today announced that Manager Aaron Boone is taking an immediate medical leave of absence to receive a pacemaker. Surgery is expected to be performed later today at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa.
Sending 💙 to our skipper. pic.twitter.com/rwJo0hAMDd
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 3, 2021
Hopefully the procedure goes smoothly and alleviates whatever symptoms or concerns Boone was facing with respect to his heart. Sometimes I wonder if the standard physicals that players and coaches and managers often receive at the start of Spring Training is a good opportunity to catch issues that might not otherwise be caught. I don’t know if that’s the case here, but either way, it’s good that Boone is getting this done. All the best to him.
Statement from Manager Aaron Boone pic.twitter.com/fbCwUrwNd6
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 3, 2021