The fates of Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac remain unknown, and some decisions are looming for the Indians.
Clevinger and Plesac are both pitching on regular throwing programs after being optioned to the team's alternate site at Lake County. Both pitchers broke the team's health protocols in Chicago. Clevinger's case was worsened by not disclosing anything and traveling back with the team even after Plesac was sent home earlier with a car service. Plesac's case was then worsened with a six-plus minute ran on Instagram in which he blamed the media for the negative portrayal despite comments from several teammates, a video that manager Terry Francona said was "disappointing."
Both Clevinger and Plesac will be eligible to be recalled to the major-league level on Monday, the Indians' first game in a three-game series with the division rival Twins. The Indians now have a question to answer as to when either of them will be recalled — if that happens at all. The trade deadline of Aug. 31 is drawing near. If the Indians can find a suitable trade partner and enough value, one or both could be dealt to address other areas around the roster.
The Indians held a team meeting in Detroit with both pitchers present to address their actions. That meeting proceeded Clevinger and Plesac being optioned to the alternate site. The readiness of the clubhouse to accept both back, then, is a significant factor. As Adam Plutko and others have said, Clevinger and Plesac broke the trust of the clubhouse.
Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said on Friday on a Zoom call that he doesn't anticipate another team meeting being necessary to gauge the temperature of the clubhouse. But that will be a factor. Both pitchers being eligible to return on Monday doesn't necessarily mean it's a sure thing that they'll return to Cleveland.
"I do think understanding the team's readiness to accept them back into the environment is something we'll consider," Antonetti said. "And that would be a consideration as we made the decision. But again I don't want to lose sight — everyone's focus, and the decisions we make, will be around how do we build the best team and how do we have the best group of guys up at the major league level that give us the best chance to win and win a World Series? And that's the lense through which we'll continue to make decisions."
Clevinger threw five innings and 80 pitches at the team's alternate site on Wednesday. Plesac followed with five innings and 77 pitches a day later. That would put them on a normal routine to pitch Monday and Tuesday, respectively, the same days that Aaron Civale and Shane Bieber would be in line to start. Plutko took the ball on Friday, Triston McKenzie will be called up Saturday to make to make his major-league debut, and Carlos Carrasco will take the mound on Sunday. After that, the Indians have a few routes they could take in terms of timing. Assuming Clevinger and Plesac can earn the trust of the clubhouse back.
"That’s a healing process the team is going through right now," said acting manager Sandy Alomar Jr. "The organization is dealing with that internally. Hopefully eventually we get to see those guys. Because part of the healing process is accepting people. It’s a learning process. We’ll see what happens. Chris and Mike Chernoff and Tito Francona are working with that."
"I wouldn't want to speak for Zach and Clev," Antonetti said. "My sense is they've spent a lot of time over the last week really reflecting and thinking about how important it is to be part of the team up here and what they need to do to earn the trust back of the team."
The ramifications could be severe for both pitchers if they're held down longer than the mandatory 10 days after being optioned. Clevinger remaining at the alternate site for 20 days could add a year of control for the Indians. And if Plesac is down for 18 days, it could ruin his Super 2 Status, likely costing him millions.
The Indians won six consecutive games after that team meeting, when both pitchers were sent to Lake County. The Indians did reach a softer stretch of their schedule. But Alomar Jr. has liked the focus that has been apparent since that time.
"There seems to be more focus because guys have to step up," Alomar said. "Those two guys are good pitchers. In a big stretch, we might miss those guys. It creates a sense of responsibility for those guys who are supposed to fill those gaps. The focus has to be there. Those guys pitch deep into games. We need these guys to step up and take the focus to a different level in order for our bullpen to be successful for the rest of the year, we need that."
Antonetti stressed on Friday the focus will be on assembling the best 28 players. That certainly, at least on paper, would include Clevinger and Plesac. Though, becoming a distraction in the clubhouse has become another variable that is not normally much of a factor.
"It's the best 28 guys. It's the best team," Antonetti said. "That's ultimately what we're seeking to build. Obviously talent is a consideration in that, but it's not all about talent."
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Indians at https://ift.tt/2WB0NvK. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.
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