As if the Cincinnati Reds’ uphill climb toward October wasn’t steep enough.
A flu-like bug is making its way through the clubhouse this week, taking a toll on coaches, players, clubhouse staff and manager Terry Francona.
Terry Francona’s team is dealing with a flu bug going through the clubhouse.
More: Reds could get help soon in Tyler Stephenson, Chase Burns – if it’s not too late
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“We’re all (expletive) sick,” said Francona, sounding congested as he spoke, but healthy enough for a punchline: “One advantage to waking up every day feeling like (expletive) was it’s not much different.”
The bug cost the Reds on Sept. 2 when Nick Lodolo was unable to start, and the Reds wound up losing 12-9 to the Blue Jays.
Reliever Scott Barlow, who struggled as the opener in that game, wound up home sick the next day. Coaches Freddie Benavides and Will Remillard also have been struck by the bug, along with infielder Gavin Lux and other players.
Francona said he scheduled a late arrival for the team to the ballpark for the series finale against the Blue Jays, “just to try to make suer we get through today.”
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They have a day off after that before opening a big weekend series against the New York Mets.
Asked how long it might take for this to run its course, Francona seemed bemused.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“I should have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds playoff chances just got tougher during home stretch