Indians' Plesac sent home after protocol misstep in Chicago

Zach Plesac understood the importance of players behaving in order for baseball to have its season amid a global pandemic.

He broke the rules anyway.

The Indians sent Plesac back to Cleveland on Sunday in a car service after the young right-hander violated team rules and Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols.

The 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends in Chicago on Saturday night following his win against the White Sox. The team got Plesac a car so he wouldn't be on a plane with teammates and staff in the event he contracted the virus.

Plesac apologized in a statement released by the team following its 10-inning victory over the White Sox on Sunday night.

“I realize I made a poor choice to leave the hotel, which broke protocols and could have endangered other people,” he said. "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.”

It is not known if Plesac has been tested since breaking the team's code of conduct. He will be isolated from the team and can not take part in team activities until he twice tests negative for the coronavirus.

The Athletic first reported Plesac was sent home.

“At this point, we'll figure out what the appropriate next steps will be,” Indians team president Chris Antonetti said.

With two off days this week, it was likely Plesac, the fifth starter, would have been skipped in the rotation anyway.

“It is coming at a complicated time for us,” Antonetti said. “We don't need another starter. We were deliberating whether Zach should go to the bullpen or whether we should option him.”

The Indians held a team meeting before Sunday's game to discuss the Plesac situation.

“We love Zach, we support him, but...