CLEVELAND — Mike Clevinger understands that by violating team protocols on a recent road trip in Chicago that he was wrong.
Now the 29-year-old Tribe right-hander is apologizing for it.
In a prepared statement Clevinger said, "There is an implicit trust that each of my teammates share as we navigate a season during this pandemic, and I broke that trust. In Chicago, I made the mistake of violating the protocols but the biggest mistake of all was not immediately coming clean to my teammates."
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"I owe them better. I now realize that by even exposing myself to just one person more than necessary, I am putting myself, my teammates, the guys I compete against, the umpires, the staff, the Indians organization as well as the Game that I love at risk. There is no excuse for my actions, and I can only take responsibility and learn from my mistakes."
Clevinger ended the statement saying, "Moving forward, I promise my actions will reflect a full understanding of the protocols set in place while I continue my passion for competing for the incredible Indians’ fans and the City that I adore.”
Prior to Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs, the Indians placed both starting pitchers Zach Plesac and Clevinger on the restricted list. Both pitchers will remain quarantined and will undergo subsequent testing for COVID-19.
On Sunday it was discovered that Plesac had left the Indians' team hotel on Saturday night to go out with friends in Chicago while the Tribe spent the weekend there for a weekend series against the White Sox.
Once the club became aware that Plesac had violated team rules on the road, he was instructed to drive back to Cleveland rather than traveling home on the team plane.
Meanwhile, Clevinger, who it was later discovered was with Plesac, still traveled home with the team on the plane despite knowing he was with his teammate that violated the rules.
Clevinger apologized for not coming clean with his teammates.