Remember how the Indians sent pitcher Zach Plesac home from Chicago because he broke the protocols to go out with friends on Saturday night? Well, it turns out he wasn’t alone.
The Cubs will not be facing Mike Clevinger tomorrow, because he joined Plesac:
Mike Clevinger also violated team rules during this past road trip. A statement from the Indians: pic.twitter.com/RS64c4vBoA
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) August 10, 2020
Here’s the kicker – even after knowing that Plesac got sent home for going out on Saturday night, having to rent a car to drive home – Clevinger apparently said nothing and traveled back with the team:
Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger went out with teammate Zach Plesac in Chicago on Saturday night in violation of team protocol, sources tell ESPN. Clevinger was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday against the Cubs and will quarantine. He flew with the team Sunday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 10, 2020
So that’s fantastic right there. That had to be some ugly behind-the-scenes stuff among teammates who knew Clevinger went out with Plesac, saw Plesac sent home, and Clevinger said nothing. Apparently.
Hear Indians starter Mike Clevinger sat through a team meeting yesterday and defended Zach Plesac knowing he’d been out with Plesac, then flew back with the team. Now, the Indians discover Clevinger was out with Plesac and so they have appropriately quarantined Clevinger.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 10, 2020
Setting aside what appears to be an egregiously selfish decision, there’s now the risk – however slight – that Clevinger contracted COVID-19 while out and about and then transmitted it to teammates in the interim. Teammates who are supposed to host the Cubs tomorrow.
Chronologically, that seems unlikely, but do you really want to rule anything out when it comes to this virus? I don’t necessarily anticipate this will impact the games this week unless there are positive tests tonight or tomorrow, but come on. If you’re the Cubs, aren’t you feeling a little uneasy at this moment? And pretty pissed off?
Anyway. Assuming the games are played, the Cubs will now face Carlos Carrasco, as planned, on Wednesday, but Adam Plutko on Tuesday. Plutko, 28, has been an up-and-down depth starter for the Indians the last few years, with some successful outings, but mostly meh results overall. If his name sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because he shut out the Cubs for six innings at Wrigley Field back in early 2018.
UPDATE: Plesac and Clevinger have apologized, but their teammates seem pissed.
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