Though Mike Clevinger reportedly angered many teammates when he went out with teammate Zach Plesac, Cleveland is not committed to dealing the right-hander. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Mike Clevinger on 'thin ice' with Indians, but team not committed to trading him

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Aug 17, 2020 1:34 PM ET

Cleveland Indians pitchers Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac made a very poor decision to go out in Chicago following the team's game against the White Sox on Aug. 7, and their teammates weren't too happy about it.

As a result, it's believed that Clevinger is on "thin ice" with the organization, according to Tom Withers of The Associated Press. However, Cleveland isn't necessarily committed to trading the right-hander.

Believe Clevinger is on thin ice, but not sure #Indians are fully committed to trading him in the next two weeks. Interesting he finds himself in a similar position Bauer was in a year ago with club.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) August 17, 2020

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, at least one Indians player said he'd opt out of the season if both pitchers remained on the active roster. While some accepted their apologies, the anger over their actions was enough for the club to demote them to the team's alternate training site.

Clevinger and Plesac's actions reportedly caused a divide within the clubhouse, Passan added, and star shortstop Francisco Lindor, among others, said they'd leave the team if the pair rejoined the club in Detroit over the weekend.

The team felt that both pitchers violated their trust. Although Clevinger and Plesac haven't tested positive for COVID-19, the potential exposure of the team to the virus was enough to frustrate them. They were even more frustrated because pitcher Carlos Carrasco is at higher risk of coronavirus infection after being treated for leukemia last year.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

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