CLEVELAND, Ohio – If you sow the wind, you will reap the vortex.
An unapproved night in the city of Chicago can also trigger a full-blown wind. Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac found that earlier this month. Clevinger worked his way back Wednesday night into the embrace of the Indians. . .or at least he got his foot in the door.
Plesac is still waiting at Classic Park in Eastlake, the headquarters of the secondary training, for its chance to improve.
Clevinger put up six innings against the Twins in Wednesday’s win 6-3 at Progressive Field. He went away with the lead, seeing it turn in a 3-3 draw, but then saw the Indians rally for three runs in the eighth. He always operated at a much lower volume than normal.
“Yeah, again it was my mistake,” Clevinger said. ‘It was my mess that caused a whirlwind for everyone for a while and it was not my place to come into the clubhouse and be the same Sunshine (Clevinger’s nickname) and rah-rah. I’m just now running on a cord, as I would be. I make sure I contribute and am not distracted. ”
The Indians were not happy with Clevinger and Plesac breaking health and safety protocols on August 8 in Chicago. It’s one thing for the front office and manager to be upset with a player. It happens. It’s a lot worse when that player’s teammates are unhappy with him.
That’s where Clevinger and Plesac found themselves after potentially exposing their teammates and families to the virus in Chicago after their night out. While MLB security saw Plesac returning to the hotel and informing the Indians, Clevinger’s involvement was discovered until the team returned to Cleveland. That means he spent August 9 with the Indians when they played the White Sox in a Sunday night game and then flew with them back to Cleveland.
“I saw the disappointment with the boys,” Clevinger said. ‘I do not think I ever gave her a reason or that I ever saw that in me (focused) on me and I was just disappointed in myself that I did not let her know before I came back. . .the hardest pill to swallow was that I made a really selfish choice. ”
It is still unclear how Clevinger was caught. Did he confess? Did anyone hand him in?
“That will have to stay home,” Clevinger said. “It simply came to our notice then. That was a long, long, long discussion, but we’ll just keep it internal. ”
Clevinger and Plesac were quarantined for 72 hours. Then they were put on the restricted list before they were finally activated and selected as an option for Classic Park. But not before a meeting after Jesus came to Detroit on August 14th.
Clevinger already knew how disappointed his teammates and staff were. That point was reinforced at the meeting.
“I knew it before then,” he said. “We were still in contact. They did not just kick me to the curb, but they did let me know how they felt. I really understood how much I was disappointing them and the staff and everyone around. ”
There is still work to be done.
“I understand why they were hurt,” Clevinger said. “I understand that time would be the ultimate factor in the healing process. I need to show that I am familiar with doing the right things away from the field and it’s just a matter of just talking back and forth and rebuilding relationships and then figuring out how I can make them more comfortable with where I am . ”
In the meantime, Clevinger wholeheartedly enjoyed being back on the mound, even as Wednesday night saw a showcase launch for a potential trade before Monday’s deadline. Clevinger knows this is a possibility, but said this was not his primary thought for the game.
“I’m trying to win a ring,” Clevinger said. ‘And I’m trying to win a ring for the Tribe. Until she told me I could not wear her uniform – I went with this team to the World Series as a rookie. This is the team I wanted to do it with. I do not think about that. All I can think about is that we could be in a half game of Minnesota if we come out on top tonight. ”
The Indians, White Sox and Twins are within half a game of each other at AL Central. The Twins stand in first place with the Indians and White Sox in second.
Outfielders Tyler Naquin and Greg Allen were happy that Clevinger was back.
“We’re all professionals here,” Naquin said. “You always want to see the man next to you, whatever the circumstances.
‘One thing Clev will do is he will give you everything every time he tears the rubber. We will play hard behind him every time. Put this behind us and think we’re here to play baseball. ”
Allen said, “We’ll fall, but we need to push ourselves again. If you have people around you who want to help bring you back, it’s an even easier process.
“I commend our team, I commend both Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac for just what it takes to get this process. It has definitely not been easy for her, I’m sure. It has not been easy for our team as a whole. But I think it’s something that when we look back on it, it makes us stronger. It will make them better. It will make us better as teammates. ”
Chris Antonetti, president of baseball companies, spoke with Clevinger on Tuesday and told him he would be activated Wednesday and face the Twins that night. His next call was to Plesac, saying there was now no place in the rotation, but to work hard at Classic Field, because chance might precede him.
The rotation currently looks like this: Shane Bieber, Clevinger, rookie Triston McKenzie, Carlos Carrasco and Aaron Civale. McKenzie got a chance to make a spot on Saturday as Clevinger and Plesac made time at Classic Park. McKenzie struck out 10 and allowed one run in six innings against the Tigers and earned at least one more start. Perhaps Plesac will get a chance to regain its old place in the rotation if McKenzie falters. Carrasco has also struggled.
Asked how Plesac did it, Clevinger said, “This did nothing but really ignite a fire beneath him. I do not think I have seen anyone there with coaches who play positions in sim games with so many. fire in it. I’m excited to see him back because his stuff has been unreal from where he’s ahead and it’s only getting better here. “
A variety of face masks from Cleveland Indians are available online today. (Fanatics.com)
New Indian face masks for sale: Here you can buy Cleveland Indian-themed face masks for coronavirus protection, including one mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity.
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