#Mike Clevinger flew with Indians after violating coronavirus protocol

Cleveland’s Mike Clevinger will not make his scheduled start Tuesday against the Cubs, becoming the second pitcher in as many days who was found to have violated COVID-19 safety protocol, while in Chicago. Pitcher Zach Plesac — who went out with Clevinger on Saturday — was forced to take a rental car from Chicago to Cleveland after it was discovered he’d left the team hotel. Clevinger traveled in the air with the team, which didn’t know of his faux pas until after the Indians returned home.

The Indians said Clevinger will be forced to quarantine, and unable to return to the team until registering two negative tests in a 72-hour period. Though Cleveland’s game against the Cubs is still scheduled to take place, it is unclear if Clevinger’s teammates have now been exposed to the coronavirus, which has already caused significant outbreaks on the Marlins and Cardinals.

Recently, Clevinger claimed every player could be trusted not to put the team, and the season, at risk.

“This isn’t going to be a ‘run to daddy’ kind of thing. We’re going to handle it in-house. This is a player discipline thing. Keep the coaches, front office kind of out of it,” Clevinger said on July 30. “It puts a little extra accountability, kind of. Just having that trust in your teammates is a big thing. It’s a big thing on the field. If you feel your teammate doesn’t trust you off the field, how are you going to feel like he trusts you when you get between the lines?”

Plesac and Clevinger’s inexcusable actions particularly jeopardized the health of fellow pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who recently returned to the mound after being diagnosed with leukemia last year. It is unclear if the pitchers will face punishment from the team.