Mike Clevinger to Miss Start After Violating COVID-19 Protocol

The Indians pitcher will miss his scheduled start Tuesday after the team learned he went out in Chicago

Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 05, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 05, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger will miss his scheduled start against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday (Aug. 11) after the team learned that he violated coronavirus protocol while on the road in Chicago over the weekend.

Clevinger is the second pitcher in as many days to be quarantined by the Indians for violating protocol. After Zach Plesac left the team hotel for a night out in Chicago on Saturday during the Indians’ series with the White Sox, he was forced to drive back to Cleveland by himself in a rental car and enter quarantine on Sunday while the rest of the team flew back. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Clevinger went out with Plesac on Saturday, but the team didn’t find out about it until Monday — meaning he flew on the plane and potentially exposed the rest of his teammates.

The violation is especially significant because Cleveland has several high-risk individuals. Manager Terry Francona is expected to rejoin the team Tuesday after he was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic a week ago due to a lingering gastrointestinal issue, and Clevinger’s rotation-mate Carlos Carrasco was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia last year.

“Today the organization learned that RHP Mike Clevinger violated team protocols on the club’s recent road trip to Chicago. He has been instructed to quarantine and will undergo subsequent testing while away from the team,” the team said in a statement Monday night. “The Cleveland Indians will continue to keep the health and safety of our players, coaches and staff members as our top priority.”

Clevinger and Plesac will both undergo testing and will have to test negative for COVID-19 twice in 72 hours before they’ll be allowed to rejoin any team activities.

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