CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians traded right-hander Adam Plutko to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, a move that brings some clarity to their bullpen situation. Cleveland will get a player to be named or cash in return for Plutko, who was out of minor league options and seemed to be destined for a role in long relief this season. The 29-year-old has appeared in 50 games and made 36 starts for the Indians since 2016. Plutko's departure seems to point to Logan Allen, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill all making the Indians' opening-day roster. Manager Terry Francona said the first three spots in the rotation were set with AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale. Allen, who is a left-hander, seems to have locked up the No. 4 spot after a strong camp. He pitched five shutout innings in a start on Friday. McKenzie or Quantrill will either be the fifth starter or go to the bullpen. McKenzie makes his last exhibition start Sunday against San Diego. Plutko was Cleveland's... [More]

The Cleveland Indians have broken COVID-19 protocols for the third time in less than a year, this time costing them third baseman José Ramírez and slugger Franmil Reyes. Manager Terry Francona said Sunday the two players were sent to their Arizona homes while the Indians wait to hear from Major League Baseball when they can rejoin the team. Francona said Reyes, who had a virus-related misstep last season, and Ramirez went out to dinner on Friday following an exhibition game in Mesa against the Chicago Cubs. They reported to the team’s complex on Saturday and were immediately sent away. They did not have contact with any other players or team personnel. “The players themselves actually self-reported that they had made a mistake," Francona said on a Zoom call. When spring training resumed last year after being stopped due to the pandemic, Reyes was forced to quarantine after the team learned via a social media posting that he attended a July 4 party while wearing a mask. A month later, the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians pitchers reported to training camp without their ace. Shane Bieber, who dominated hitters last season while winning the AL Cy Young Award, recently tested positive with COVID-19 and has not yet reported to the club's facility in Goodyear, Arizona. President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Thursday that Bieber had contracted the virus and would be delayed in joining his teammates “He has very, very mild symptoms,” Antonetti said on a video call with reporters. “In fact, they were barely noticeable. He’s working through the protocols to return. We expect him to get back to the complex at some point within the next few days.” Antonetti would not disclose when Bieber tested positive. Per Major League Baseball's protocols, Bieber has to isolate for at least 10 days from the time he tested positive. He's being monitored by the team's training staff and then will have to be medically cleared before he's allowed to integrate with the team. Antonetti said... [More]

Indians first. Cesar Hernandez lines out to shallow right field to Hunter Dozier. Mike Freeman doubles to deep left center field. Francisco Lindor grounds out to first base to Hunter Dozier. Mike Freeman to third. Carlos Santana homers to center field. Mike Freeman scores. Franmil Reyes grounds out to shallow left field, Matt Reynolds to Hunter Dozier.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Royals 0.Indians second. Tyler Naquin flies out to left field to Alex Gordon. Josh Naylor grounds out to right field, Nicky Lopez to Hunter Dozier. Sandy Leon homers to center field. Delino DeShields grounds out to shallow infield, Adalberto Mondesi to Hunter Dozier.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 3, Royals 0.Royals third. Edward Olivares strikes out swinging. Nicky Lopez doubles to center field. Cam Gallagher walks. Whit Merrifield homers. Cam Gallagher scores. Nicky Lopez scores. Adalberto Mondesi called out on strikes. Hunter Dozier strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Dominic Smith hit the go-ahead home run in his first game since tearfully pleading for help combating racial inequality, Pete Alonso also connected and the New York Mets beat the crosstown Yankees 6-4 in the opener of a doubleheader Friday.Amed Rosario hit a walkoff, two-run homer to lift the Mets to a 4-3 victory in the nightcap — a bizarre scene in the Bronx, where the Yankees batted first as the visiting team in the makeup of a game postponed last weekend.The sweep sent the Yankees to their seventh straight loss.Rosario connected off closer Aroldis Chapman (0-1) with pinch-runner Billy Hamilton at second base. Chapman walked Jeff McNeil to open the inning, and Hamilton promptly stole second despite being picked off by the All-Star left-hander.Rosario then cranked his third home run of the season into the left field seats, setting off the second big celebration in the visiting dugout as the Mets swept the Yankees in a doubleheader for the first time.Jared Hughes (1-1)... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Indians starter Mike Clevinger will pitch Wednesday for the first time since breaking team rules and Major League Baseball COVID-19 protocols and being demoted for 10 days.Clevinger will return and pitch the series finale against the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins. The right-hander last pitched on Aug. 5 at Cincinnati. Three days later, he and Zach Plesac violated the team's code of conduct by going out to dinner and risking exposure to the coronavirus.The actions of the free-spirited Clevinger drew the wrath of teammates, who expressed their unhappiness with him and Plesac during at a team meeting in Detroit. Afterward, the team optioned Clevinger and Plesac to the club's alternate training site in Eastlake, Ohio.The Indians were most upset that Clevinger didn’t initially admit to going out in Chicago with Plesac, who was driven back to Cleveland by a car service. Clevinger flew on the team plane and potentially risked others contracting the virus if he had been exposed.Adam Plutko, who took Clevinger's spot in the rotation, recently said his teammates “hurt us bad. They lied to us.”Manager Terry Francona, who has been away from the team following surgery, said Clevinger and Plesac would have to work on getting back trust from their teammates.Clevinger has been mentioned in numerous trade scenarios as the Aug. 31 deadline nears.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5 on Friday night.The Tigers also ended a nine-game slide that included being swept at home last weekend by the Indians.The 21-year-old Paredes connected in the fourth inning when the Tigers scored seven times off Adam Plutko (1-2). Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer as the Tigers topped the Indians for the first time since April 10, 2019.Cleveland’s 20-game dominance of Detroit was the second-longest streak against one opponent since division play began in 1969. Baltimore holds the record with 23 consecutive wins over Kansas City in 1969-70.Rony Garcia (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, who got off to a surprising 9-4 start before staggering.Franmil Reyes hit a two-run homer as the Indians had their winning streak stopped at six. They were again without manager Terry Francona. He underwent a medical... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5 on Friday night.The Tigers also ended a nine-game slide that included being swept at home last weekend by the Indians.The 21-year-old Paredes connected in the fourth inning when the Tigers scored seven times off Adam Plutko (1-2). Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer as the Tigers topped the Indians for the first time since April 10, 2019.Cleveland’s 20-game dominance of Detroit was the second-longest streak against one opponent since division play began in 1969. Baltimore holds the record with 23 consecutive wins over Kansas City in 1969-70.Rony Garcia (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, who got off to a surprising 9-4 start before staggering.Franmil Reyes hit a two-run homer as the Indians had their winning streak stopped at six. They were again without manager Terry Francona. He underwent a medical... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5 on Friday night.The Tigers also ended a nine-game slide that included being swept at home last weekend by the Indians.The 21-year-old Paredes connected in the fourth inning when the Tigers scored seven times off Adam Plutko (1-2). Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer as the Tigers topped the Indians for the first time since April 10, 2019.Cleveland’s 20-game dominance of Detroit was the second-longest streak against one opponent since division play began in 1969. Baltimore holds the record with 23 consecutive wins over Kansas City in 1969-70.Rony Garcia (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, who got off to a surprising 9-4 start before staggering.Franmil Reyes hit a two-run homer as the Indians had their winning streak stopped at six. They were again without manager Terry Francona. He underwent a medical... [More]

Indians second. Carlos Santana hit by pitch. Franmil Reyes walks. Carlos Santana to second. Tyler Naquin doubles to center field. Franmil Reyes to third. Carlos Santana scores. Domingo Santana grounds out to shortstop, Niko Goodrum to Jeimer Candelario. Tyler Naquin to third. Franmil Reyes scores. Roberto Perez strikes out swinging. Delino DeShields singles to shallow infield. Tyler Naquin scores. Cesar Hernandez grounds out to second base, Jonathan Schoop to Jeimer Candelario.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 3, Tigers 0.Indians third. Jose Ramirez called out on strikes. Francisco Lindor singles to center field. Carlos Santana flies out to center field to JaCoby Jones. Franmil Reyes homers to center field. Francisco Lindor scores. Tyler Naquin strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 5, Tigers 0.Tigers fourth. Victor Reyes grounds out to shallow infield, Adam Plutko to Carlos Santana. Miguel Cabrera walks. Jonathan Schoop homers to center field. Miguel... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — After hearing Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac explain their actions, the Cleveland Indians sent the pitchers to their alternate training site on Friday after the two broke team rules and Major League Baseball coronavirus protocol last weekend in Chicago.Clevinger and Plesac drove to Detroit separately with their baseball equipment on Thursday for an “open forum” meeting at the team's hotel before the Indians opened a series with the Tigers.Indians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said following “the discussion” that he met with manager Terry Francona, general manager Mike Chernoff and decided it was best to option Plesac and Clevinger to the alternate training site instead of allowing them to rejoin the team.“We had a chance to meet as small group and decided this would be the best path of action for us,” Antonetti said.So before the opener, the Indians activated Clevinger and Plesac from the restricted list and optioned them to Lake County.It's a stunning... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — After hearing Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac explain their actions, the Cleveland Indians sent the pitchers to their alternate training site on Friday after the two broke team rules and Major League Baseball coronavirus protocol last weekend in Chicago.Clevinger and Plesac drove to Detroit separately with their baseball equipment on Thursday for an “open forum” meeting at the team's hotel before the Indians opened a series with the Tigers.Indians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said following “the discussion” that he met with manager Terry Francona, general manager Mike Chernoff and decided it was best to option Plesac and Clevinger to the alternate training site instead of allowing them to rejoin the team.“We had a chance to meet as small group and decided this would be the best path of action for us,” Antonetti said.So before the opener, the Indians activated Clevinger and Plesac from the restricted list and optioned them to Lake County.It's a stunning... [More]

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]

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

HOUSTON (AP) — Benches cleared Tuesday night during the Dodgers’ 5-2 victory over the Astros in the first game between the teams since it was revealed that Houston illegally stole signs en route to a 2017 championship that came at Los Angeles’ expense in the World Series.The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. Kelly threw an errant breaking ball over Correa’s head. Correa, who homered and finished with three hits, took off his batting helmet and stared Kelly down before continuing the at-bat. Kelly struck out Correa, then stuck out his tongue and made a face in his direction. Correa started walking toward him and the players exchanged words, prompting the benches to clear in the first such incident of this pandemic-delayed season. There was plenty of yelling and crowding — outlawed as MLB tries to play a 60-game season amid the pandemic — but no pushing or punches thrown.Order was... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Javier Báez homered twice, doubled and scored on a deft dive to the plate, Alec Mills went six solid innings, and the Chicago Cubs extended their opening surge, beating the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 on Tuesday night.Chicago has won four of its first five games, scoring first in each one. Jason Kipnis’ triple — Shogo Akiyama lost it in the sun — got the Cubs going again.Mills (1-0) added to Chicago’s stretch of impressive starts, holding the Reds to two hits in six innings. Chicago’s starters have a 1.80 ERA and a .131 opponent batting average this season.The Reds got two-run homers by Nick Castellanos — his first since signing a $64 million deal — and Freddy Galvis but fell to 1-4, tied for the worst start in the majors.Cody Reed (0-1) allowed two runs in the fifth after relieving starter Tyler Mahle.DIAMONDBACKS 4, RANGERS 1ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Merrill Kelly took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a home run as Arizona beat Texas. Rougned Odor’s one-out... [More]