Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger will be recalled to make Wednesday's start against the Minnesota Twins, answering one of the many questions regarding the status of a few members of the starting rotation.
Clevinger, along with Zach Plesac, broke the team's health protocols after the Indians' game in Chicago on Aug. 8. Following a team meeting a few days later, both pitchers were optioned to the team's alternate site at Lake County, where they have remained while continuing a throwing program to stay ready. Clevinger will rejoin the rotation on Wednesday, which was Adam Plutko's day to pitch, while Plesac continues to wait at Lake County.
"I think as I have mentioned and have been pretty consistent, we'll continue to make decisions that we think put our team in the best position to be successful," said Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. "And (Wednesday) night, we determined that we had an opening in our rotation and we spent some time thinking, organizationally, who would be the best person to fill in that spot. We felt we had a number of really good choices at the alternate site. ... In the end, we felt that going with Mike was the best thing for our team and that's why we made the decision that we did."
"So right after I called Mike to share the news that he will be recalled tomorrow, I followed up and talked with Zach to explain the decision and let him know that we don't yet have an opportunity for him at the major league level. But as we all have seen time and time again, that can change very quickly. So, it's up to him to continue to pitch the way he's capable of pitching, continue to put in the work and be an option for us whenever we have the opportunity for it."
Questions have remained as to when Clevinger and Plesac might be recalled _ and how it might affect their service time situations _ and whether one or both could be traded before the Aug. 31 deadline.
Antonetti said last week that the goal of the front office is to put the best 28 players on the active roster. Talent is a key factor in that, but as Antonetti said, it isn't the only factor. After the incident on Aug. 8, several Indians players voiced their opinions about a breach in trust and frustration toward Clevinger and Plesac that they had caused a needless distraction.
The Indians' hope is that more than a week and a half at the team's alternate site will result in Clevinger and Plesac being able to earn back the trust of their teammates, and that the clubhouse has had time to cool off a bit, at least enough to welcome Clevinger back without it being a distraction.
"It's time to start the healing process with these guys," acting manager Sandy Alomar Jr. said. "In order to go places, we're going to need these guys, and also we're going to eventually need Tito (manager Terry Francona) back. It's time to get a little bit of sunshine out there, because we've been surrounded by clouds the whole time, even though we've stayed afloat."
The Indians reached out to at least a few players to gauge their readiness to accept the pitchers back into the clubhouse. Antonetti said there was enough communication that the team felt "comfortable" bringing Clevinger back into the mix.
"I'm not going to go into all of the details, but (we) certainly did have engagement with our players and I do feel that our team is ready to have Clev back and ready for him to go out on the mound and compete and help us win games," Antonetti said. "I am comfortable with that fact and I think, most importantly, the team is comfortable. I think Mike has had the chance to reflect upon a lot over the course of the last week to 10 days and is really eager to rejoin the team and get back up here and help us win games."
Clevinger being recalled to start Wednesday's game, which was Adam Plutko's day to pitch, certainly doesn't mean he'll necessarily remain on the team past Aug. 31 while the team weighs all of its options. The starting rotation was already the roster's area of surplus if the Indians need to deal from the major-league side. Triston McKenzie's superb debut might have added some flexibility, though Carlos Carrasco's recent struggles could also be a factor.
Clevinger was off to a strong start before breaking the team protocols and being optioned to the alternate site, posting a 3.24 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.
