Yesterday, the Cardinals manager visited the renowned Mayo Clinic where he was reportedly diagnosed with shingles. La Russa has been suffering from the ailment for at least four weeks. Shingles is a strain of the chicken pox virus that often hits people over the age of 50. Though it's not life-threatening, shingles is extremely painful and can result in blindness when it gets into the eye.
The Post-Dispatch reports this morning that La Russa won't join the team for tonight's series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field as he tries to recuperate. Third-base coach Jose Oquendo, pitching coach Dave Duncan and bench coach Joe Pettini will all share La Russa's duties.
