Baker will return to manage Reds next week

Reds manager Dusty Baker sffered a mini-stroke and irregular heartbeat last week.

Lynne Sladky/AP

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Dusty Baker won't manage the Cincinnati Reds until the final series in St. Louis, giving him time to recover from an irregular heartbeat and a mini-stroke suffered last week.

The 63-year-old manager was hospitalized for four days in Chicago because of an irregular heartbeat that he's had for some time.

He said in a statement released Tuesday that he also had a mini-stroke.

His cardiologists said his condition has "improved dramatically" and a full recovery is expected.

Bench coach Chris Speier will manage the team during a three-game series against Milwaukee at Great American Ball Park and a three-game series in Pittsburgh over the weekend.

Baker could resume his role next Monday in St. Louis and into the playoffs.

The Reds clinched the NL Central title on Saturday night, beating Los Angeles 6-0 while Baker was still in a Chicago hospital. He was released the following day.

"I'm feeling much better, and it's great being back here in Cincinnati," Baker said, in a statement released after he met with owner Bob Castellini and his players. "Chris Speier and my staff are doing a terrific job, and I look forward to getting back to the dugout."

Speier said Baker was in good spirits when he talked to the team in the clubhouse.

"He looked great," Speier said. "He's lost a lot of water weight. He was anxious (to get back). It was great to see him. Again, he looks really, really good. We're all anxious to get him back in charge."

Baker became ill while the team was in Chicago for a three-game series last Wednesday and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment of the irregular heartbeat.

His statement said that when he was being discharged from the hospital on Friday, he suffered a mini-stroke and was treated immediately, "Which minimized the effects of the stroke."

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