Tony La Russa reportedly hoping to return to White Sox as early as next week

The MLB community was understandably concerned after the Chicago White Sox announced shortly before the Aug. 30 home game versus the Kansas City Royals that manager Tony La Russa would miss that matchup on the advice of his doctors due to an unspecified medical issue. 

La Russa was ruled out indefinitely the following day, and it was later reported that the 77-year-old Hall of Famer needed to see heart specialists after a cardiologist recommended that he sit out the previously mentioned game against the Royals. 

There's good news regarding his health ahead of this coming weekend. 

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Thursday afternoon that friends are now saying a medical checkup has confirmed La Russa "is going to be OK." La Russa is attempting to attend Sunday's game at the Oakland Athletics that will include a retirement ceremony for Dave Stewart’s No. 34 jersey, and he wants to be back in the dugout managing as early as next week. 

Bench coach Miguel Cairo has served as interim manager in La Russa’s absence and went 6-3 across his first nine contests in charge. The 69-68 White Sox began Thursday evening in third place in the American League Central standings but were only two games back of the first-place Cleveland Guardians at that time.