CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians pitcher Zach Plesac feels he and teammate Mike Clevinger have been unfairly portrayed as “bad people” in the aftermath of the pitchers being quarantined by the team for violating COVID-19 protocols last weekend in Chicago.Plesac said he posted a six-minute video on his Instagram page Thursday to “ get out the truth” to fans about his situation.The 25-year-old acknowledged breaking team curfew last Saturday after he and Clevinger left the team hotel, went out to dinner and socialized with Plesac's friends. Plesac had pitched earlier in the day, getting the win as the Indians beat the White Sox.After the Indians were told by Major League Baseball security about the players being out in public, the team got a car service to drive Plesac home so he wouldn't risk exposing himself to teammates if he had been infected by the coronavirus.Clevinger didn't tell the team he was with Plesac and flew home with the team.The Indians placed the two right-handers on the restricted... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BLISTERING BLACKMONCharlie Blackmon raised his batting average to an amazing .500 with three more hits in Colorado's 8-7 win over Arizona.After starting out the year 0 for 9, Blackmon has hit in 15 straight games. He’s 34 for 68 through 17 games in the coronavirus-shortened 60-game season.C YOU LATERCleveland is minus two of its top starting pitchers after putting Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac on the restricted list. The Indians made the moves after the right-handers broke team rules and Major League Baseball protocols by leaving their hotel in Chicago last weekend and risking exposure to the COVID-19 virus.The Indians had implemented a code of conduct for players to follow on road trips, forbidding them from socializing outside of the team’s players and staff.MLB permits teams to use the restricted list for players who are unavailable to play for non-baseball reasons. The players will be paid during their leave and be given service times.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:BLISTERING BLACKMONCharlie Blackmon raised his batting average to an amazing .500 with three more hits in Colorado's 8-7 win over Arizona.After starting out the year 0 for 9, Blackmon has hit in 15 straight games. He’s 34 for 68 through 17 games in the coronavirus-shortened 60-game season.C YOU LATERCleveland is minus two of its top starting pitchers after putting Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac on the restricted list. The Indians made the moves after the right-handers broke team rules and Major League Baseball protocols by leaving their hotel in Chicago last weekend and risking exposure to the COVID-19 virus.The Indians had implemented a code of conduct for players to follow on road trips, forbidding them from socializing outside of the team’s players and staff.MLB permits teams to use the restricted list for players who are unavailable to play for non-baseball reasons. The players will be paid during their leave and be given service... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:C YOU LATERCleveland is minus two of its top starting pitchers after putting Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac on the restricted list. The Indians made the moves after the right-handers broke team rules and Major League Baseball protocols by leaving their hotel in Chicago last weekend and risking exposure to the COVID-19 virus.The Indians had implemented a code of conduct for players to follow on road trips, forbidding them from socializing outside of the team’s players and staff.MLB permits teams to use the restricted list for players who are unavailable to play for non-baseball reasons. The players will be paid during their leave and be given service times. They can come off the list at any time.SIDELINED SLUGGERYankees designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is expected to miss three to four weeks after being diagnosed with a grade 1 left hamstring strain.Manager Aaron Boone says the team is still evaluating the 2017 NL MVP and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians went a step further than just putting Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac into quarantine.They've been sent away from the team, and it's not known when they'll be back.Cleveland placed the two starting pitchers on the restricted list after the right-handers broke team rules and Major League Baseball protocols by leaving their hotel in Chicago last weekend and risking exposure to the COVID-19 virus.“This one kind of hurts,” said Indians manager Terry Francona, who returned Tuesday from a week away to address a lingering medical issue to find his team dealing with an internal situation that could affect its season. “We’ll deal with it like we always do,” Francona added. “We care about each other. It doesn’t mean you don’t get disappointed with each other or even mad at each other sometimes. But what I care about is making it better.”Clevinger and Plesac went out Saturday night with a group of people following the Indians' win over the White Sox. The team... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians went a step further than just putting Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac into quarantine.They've been sent away from the team, and it's not known when they'll be back.Cleveland placed the two starting pitchers on the restricted list after the right-handers broke team rules and Major League Baseball protocols by leaving their hotel in Chicago last weekend and risking exposure to the COVID-19 virus.“This one kind of hurts,” said Indians manager Terry Francona, who returned Tuesday from a week away to address a lingering medical issue to find his team dealing with an internal situation that could affect its season. “We’ll deal with it like we always do,” Francona added. “We care about each other. It doesn’t mean you don’t get disappointed with each other or even mad at each other sometimes. But what I care about is making it better.”Clevinger and Plesac went out Saturday night with a group of people following the Indians' win over the White Sox. The team... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians placed starters Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac on the restricted list Tuesday after the pitchers broke team rules by leaving their hotel in Chicago last weekend and risked exposure to the COVID-19 virus.Clevinger and Plesac went out Saturday night with a group of people following the Indians' win over the White Sox. The team had implemented a code of conduct for players to follow on the road, forbidding them from socializing outside of team staff.The Indians immediately sent Plesac home in a car service after learning of his violation, but the Indians were not aware Clevinger had been with him until after he flew back to Cleveland with his teammates, coaches and other personnel.Both pitchers remain in quarantine. It's not immediately clear when they'll be back. Major League Baseball permits teams to use the restricted list for players who are unavailable to play for non-baseball reasons.Clevinger and Plesac can't take part in any team baseball activities... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:___NEW DIGSBaseball's nomads, the Toronto Blue Jays, finally move into their new home at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, when they play the Miami Marlins. It'll be the first time this year the Blue Jays are the host team. Canada’s government wouldn’t let them hold games at Rogers Centre in Toronto, fearful of opponents traveling into the city amid the coronavirus pandemic. Pittsburgh offered to let the Blue Jays play at PNC Park when the Pirates were on the road, but Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf wouldn’t sign off on it. That left the club's Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, which last hosted a regular-season Major League Baseball game in 1915 when the Buffalo Blues finished sixth in the eight-team Federalist League. The wait hasn’t been quite as long for the Blue Jays, who spent the first two-plus weeks of the season bouncing from Tampa to Washington to Atlanta to Boston waiting for preparations at 16,600-seat Sahlen Field (all but a few... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:___NEW DIGSBaseball's nomads, the Toronto Blue Jays, finally move into their new home at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, when they play the Miami Marlins. It'll be the first time this year the Blue Jays are the host team. Canada’s government wouldn’t let them hold games at Rogers Centre in Toronto, fearful of opponents traveling into the city amid the coronavirus pandemic. Pittsburgh offered to let the Blue Jays play at PNC Park when the Pirates were on the road, but Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf wouldn’t sign off on it. That left the club's Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, which last hosted a regular-season Major League Baseball game in 1915 when the Buffalo Blues finished sixth in the eight-team Federalist League. The wait hasn’t been quite as long for the Blue Jays, who spent the first two-plus weeks of the season bouncing from Tampa to Washington to Atlanta to Boston waiting for preparations at 16,600-seat Sahlen Field (all but a few... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Clevinger's free spirit may have put the Cleveland Indians at risk.Clevinger flew home with his teammates Sunday despite knowing he had broken the club's COVID-19 protocols by going out in Chicago with right-hander Zach Plesac during Cleveland's weekend trip, according to a person familiar with the situation.Clevinger did not admit that he had violated the rules during a team meeting Sunday to discuss Plesac being sent home by the team, said the person who spoke Monday night to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. The Indians said Clevinger, who can be outspokpen and outlandish, will be quarantined and tested and will not make his scheduled start Tuesday night at home against the Cubs. It's not yet known if Clevinger and Pleasac have been tested since their violations were reported.They will have to twice test negative in 72 hours before they'll be allowed to rejoin in any team activities.The Indians arranged a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Clevinger's free spirit may have put the Cleveland Indians at risk.Clevinger flew home with his teammates Sunday despite knowing he had broken the club's COVID-19 protocols by going out in Chicago with right-hander Zach Plesac during Cleveland's weekend trip, according to a person familiar with the situation.Clevinger did not admit that he had violated the rules during a team meeting Sunday to discuss Plesac being sent home by the team, said the person who spoke Monday night to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. The Indians said Clevinger, who can be outspokpen and outlandish, will be quarantined and tested and will not make his scheduled start Tuesday night at home against the Cubs. It's not yet known if Clevinger and Pleasac have been tested since their violations were reported.They will have to twice test negative in 72 hours before they'll be allowed to rejoin in any team activities.The Indians arranged a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starter Mike Clevinger flew home with his teammates despite knowing he had broken the club's COVID-19 protocols by going out with right-hander Zach Plesac during Cleveland's weekend trip to Chicago, according to a person familiar with the situation.Clevinger did not admit that he had broken the rules during a team meeting Sunday to discuss Plesac violating the team's code of conduct, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday night on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. The Indians said Clevinger will be quarantined and tested and will not make his scheduled start Tuesday at home against the Cubs. It's not yet known if Clevinger and Pleasac have been tested since their violations were reported.They will have to twice test negative in 72 hours before they'll be allowed to rejoin in any team activities.Cleveland arranged a car service to take Plesac home so he wouldn’t be around his teammates in case he had contracted... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starter Mike Clevinger flew home with his teammates despite knowing he had broken the club's COVID-19 protocols by going out with right-hander Zach Plesac during Cleveland's weekend trip to Chicago, according to a person familiar with the situation.Clevinger did not admit that he had broken the rules during a team meeting Sunday to discuss Plesac violating the team's code of conduct, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday night on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. The Indians said Clevinger will be quarantined and tested and will not make his scheduled start Tuesday at home against the Cubs.Cleveland arranged for a car service for Plesac so he wouldn’t be around his teammates in case he had contracted the coronavirus while out with friends on Saturday following his win over the White Sox.Clevinger didn't acknowledge his misstep to the club and took the team flight despite knowing he was putting his teammates... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starter Mike Clevinger will be quarantined and undergo testing after violating COVID-19 protocols during the team's weekend trip to Chicago, the second Cleveland pitcher in two days to be disciplined for breaking team rules.The team said Monday that Clevinger will not make his scheduled start Tuesday at home against the Cubs. On Sunday, Indians right-hander Zach Plesac was sent home from Chicago in a rental car after he went out with friends following his start on Saturday, a violation of the team's code of conduct.The Indians had Plesac drive home so he wouldn't be around his teammates in case he had contracted the coronavirus. Clevinger flew home with the team.The club is being strict with player behavior in light of the virus outbreaks that have forced the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins to have games postponed.It's not known if Clevinger and Plesac will face additional penalties from the Indians.Adam Plutko will start in place of Clevinger, a hard-throwing right-hander who is 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Zach Plesac understood the importance of players behaving in order for baseball to have its season amid a global pandemic.He broke the rules anyway.The Indians sent Plesac back to Cleveland on Sunday in a car service after the young right-hander violated team rules and Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols.The 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends in Chicago on Saturday night following his win against the White Sox. The team got Plesac a car so he wouldn't be on a plane with teammates and staff in the event he contracted the virus.Plesac apologized in a statement released by the team following its 10-inning victory over the White Sox on Sunday night.“I realize I made a poor choice to leave the hotel, which broke protocols and could have endangered other people,” he said. "I understand that in these times of uncertainty, I need to be more vigilant and responsible and I am determined to earn my teammates’ forgiveness and get back to work.”It is not known if Plesac has been tested... [More]

Zach Plesac understood the importance of players behaving in order for baseball to have its season amid a global pandemic.He broke the rules anyway.The Indians sent Plesac back to Cleveland on Sunday in a rental car after the young right-hander violated team rules and Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols, a club official told the Associated Press.The official said the 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends in Chicago on Saturday night following his win against the White Sox. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said the team got Plesac a car so he wouldn't be on a plane with teammates and staff in the event he contracted the virus.It is not known if Plesac has been tested since breaking the team's code of conduct. He will be isolated from the team and can not take part in team activities until he twice tests negative for COVID-19.The Athletic first reported Plesac was sent home.Indians team president Chris Antonetti is expected... [More]

Zach Plesac understood the importance of players behaving in order for baseball to have its season amid a global pandemic.He broke the rules anyway.The Indians sent Plesac back to Cleveland on Sunday in a rental car after the young right-hander violated team rules and Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols, a club official told the Associated Press.The official said the 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends in Chicago on Saturday night following his win against the White Sox. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said the team got Plesac a car so he wouldn't be on a plane with teammates and staff in the event he contracted the virus.It is not known if Plesac has been tested since breaking the team's code of conduct. He will be isolated from the team and can not take part in team activities until he twice tests negative for COVID-19.The Athletic first reported Plesac was sent home.Indians team president Chris Antonetti is expected... [More]

Indians pitcher Zach Plesac was sent back to Cleveland on Sunday in a rental car after violating team rules and Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols, a club official told the Associated Press.The official said the 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends in Chicago on Saturday night following his win against the White Sox. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said the team got Plesac a car so he wouldn't be around teammates in the event he contracted the virus.It is not known if Plesac has been tested since breaking the team's code of conduct. He will be isolated from the team and can not take part in team activities until he twice tests negative for COVID-19.The Athletic first reported Plesac was sent home.Indians team president Chris Antonetti is expected to address Plesac's situation following the team's game in Chicago on Sunday night.Major League Baseball has been emphasizing the need for players to be more careful and... [More]