8/11 3:58 PM PT -- 8/11 Clevinger has released a statement on his decision to party over the weekend ... apologizing for risking the organization's health.
"There is an implicit trust that each of my teammates share as we navigate a season during this pandemic, and I broke that trust," Clevinger said on Tuesday.
"In Chicago, I made the mistake of violating the protocols but the biggest mistake of all was not immediately coming clean to my teammates. I owe them better."
The ace continued ... "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."
"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."
4:47 PM PT -- Et tu, Clevinger??
Zach Plesac wasn't alone when he violated team rules partying in Chicago on Saturday night -- Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger was there, too ... according to ESPN.
AND, IT GETS WORSE!!!!
While Plesac was blocked from joining the rest of the team on the flight home, Clevinger WAS allowed on the team jet to fly back to Cleveland -- raising new concerns about a possible COVID-19 outbreak.
Remember, players are not allowed to leave the team hotel without permission from the team -- rules both Plesac and Clevinger ignored in order to have a fun night out with friends during a road trip in the Windy City.
Plesac was quarantined after the team found out about his wild night. Clevinger was not.
Clevinger has been scratched from his start against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday and is now in quarantine, according to Jeff Passan.
The Cleveland Indians were so upset with Zach Plesac for leaving the team hotel in Chicago to hang with friends during a road series with the White Sox, THEY WOULDN'T LET HIM BACK ON THE TEAM JET!
The 25-year-old right-hander KNEW he wasn't supposed to leave the team hotel without specific permission (per team and MLB protocol) due to the COVID pandemic, but he went out Saturday night anyway.
The team found out and took immediate action.
FYI, Plesac grew up in Crown Point, Indiana -- roughly 45 miles from Chicago.
Plesac was ordered to be tested immediately -- and then the team sent him back to CLE by car service Sunday instead of joining the rest of the team on the team jet.
The flight is usually 90 mins The drive is a little over 5 hours.
Plesac was also placed on a mandatory 72-hour quarantine -- and will have to undergo more testing before he'll be allowed to rejoin the team.
"I realize I made a poor choice to leave the hotel, which broke protocols and could have endangered other people," Plesac said in a statement,
"I understand that in these times of uncertainty, I need to be more vigilant and responsible, and I am determined to earn my teammates' forgiveness and get back to work."
Plesac's Indians teammate, Shane Bieber, also weighed in ...
"We love Zach, we support him, but he screwed up. We're going to handle this in-house, and we'll see where it goes from here."
Major League Baseball is trying to crack down on protocol violators in the wake of multiple outbreaks affecting the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.
Be smart, people.
Originally published -- 8/10 7:07 AM PT