BOSTON (AP) – Red Sox manager Terry Francona withdrew Monday from an All-Star tour of Japan because of a foot infection, three days after agreeing to replace Ken Macha as the team’s skipper.

Francona has been hospitalized in California because of the infection in his left foot, Red Sox spokesman John Blake said. Blake said that while a full recovery is expected, doctors said Francona won’t be able to travel to Japan because of the treatment he’ll undergo.

Francona is in California on a trip with his family, Blake said.

Macha was replaced after he was fired as manager of the Oakland Athletics.

Francona had his right knee replaced late last year – the 10th operation on that knee and 19th on both knees combined.

Francona developed life-threatening complications after knee surgery in November 2002, including a blood clot in his lungs and staph infections in both knees that required several followup operations.

He played 10 years in the major leagues as a first baseman and outfielder, and had already had 11 knee operations when he went in for the arthroscopic procedure in 2002.

Francona managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997-2000, and led Boston to its first World Series title in 86 years during his first season as Red Sox manager in 2004.

He was hospitalized for tests in April 2005 after chest pains that doctors said were probably caused by a virus.

AP-ES-10-23-06 2107EDT


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