Cleveland Indians: Clevinger, Plesac reinstated; optioned to alternate training site

In a surprising move, the Cleveland Indians have optioned both Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac to their alternate training site.

Cleveland Indians starting pitchers Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac‘s time in quarantine has come to an end, but neither be joining the big league squad in Detroit this weekend.

The Indians announced Friday both starting pitchers were reinstated from the restricted list and that they’d be optioned to the teams’ alternate training site in Lake County.

Both pitchers were placed on the restricted list after they attended a party last weekend while the team was in Chicago and returned to the team hotel past MLB’s set curfew, increasing the chances of exposure to COVID-19.

After being sent home to quarantine, both pitchers appear to have tested negative for the virus and will get back to baseball activities just not with the big league squad.

The move could be to allow the Indians to carry 28 players who will be active as their rotation for this weekend’s series with the Tigers is set and neither Clevinger or Plesac were scheduled to start. Thus, there’s a chance both starters are activated following the Indians’ trip to Detroit in time to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates next week.

However, the decision could also stem from comments Plesac made in an Instagram live video where he claimed both he and Clevinger were being unfairly cast as ‘bad people’.

“It breaks my heart for people to think I’m a bad teammate or a bad person,” Plesac said. “But I wanted to share with you guys that moving forward, there’s a selflessness lesson taught here, and at the end of the day, I want everybody to be healthy. I want to be a good teammate. I want to win baseball games, man. That’s all I want to do.”

In a press conference Friday, Indians manager Terry Francona said he was “disappointed” with the video.

In the meantime, Aaron Civale will take the mound for the Tribe Friday as the Indians look to snap a two-game losing streak and continue to put the drama caused by Clevinger or Plesac behind them.