CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from March 4, 2021.
Two of the Cleveland Indians' biggest bats rejoined the team on Tuesday when Jose Ramirez and Franmil Reyes were permitted to return to the team's Spring Training facility after violating coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols over the weekend.
Both Ramirez and Reyes were sent away from spring camp on Sunday after it was discovered that Reyes had gotten a haircut following Friday's Cactus League game against the Chicago Cubs. An inquiry from team medical personnel resulted in the 25-year-old designated hitter/outfielder admitting that he and Ramirez had gone out to dinner together indoors, a breach of the guidelines agreed to by Major League Baseball and the players' union.
Ramirez and Reyes each tested negative for the coronavirus on Tuesday.
Indians manager Terry Francona said on Sunday that both players were "up-front and honest about what happened," but informed them they would have to self-isolate and stay away from the club's Goodyear, Arizona, facility for the time being. They could also face potential penalties from the league, including possible fines and suspensions.
"We told them 'These are not our rules,'" Francona said of his interaction with Ramirez and Reyes after finding out, adding both will continue to undergo coronavirus testing. "'We have to enforce them.'"
Last year, the Indians made headlines when pitchers Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac broke COVID-19 protocols during a weekend series in Chicago. Both players were temporarily optioned to the team's minor league alternate site as a result of the infraction.