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Cleveland quarantines pitcher Zach Plesac for 3 days after he went out with friends

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac is being put in quarantine by the team because of his decision to go out with friends on Saturday night in Chicago.

Cleveland is in Chicago for a three-game series and Plesac left the hotel to go out with friends after he made a start in the team’s win over the White Sox. Per ESPN and The Athletic, the team immediately isolated him from everyone else and sent him home after finding out he left the hotel.

From The Athletic:

The Indians, fearing an outbreak of COVID-19 similar to those that occurred with the Marlins and Cardinals, took quick action to isolate Plesac from his teammates and the rest of the club’s traveling party. The pitcher will be quarantined for 72 hours and tested daily, and the team could take additional preventative measures, sources said.

Cleveland beat the White Sox 7-1 on Saturday. Plesac threw six innings and allowed five hits and struck out seven. His ERA on the season is 1.29 in 21 innings pitched.

Plesac apologized in a statement on Sunday night.

“I would like to apologize to my teammates, the entire Cleveland organization and all of our fans for my actions on Sunday evening,” he said, via The Athletic. “I realize I made a poor choice to leave the hotel, which broke protocols and could have endangered other people. 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.”

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 3:  Zach Plesac #34 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 3, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Zach Plesac has a 1.29 ERA in 21 innings in 2020. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Cardinals currently dealing with coronavirus outbreak

Cleveland’s quick reaction to Plesac’s decision comes as the St. Louis Cardinals are still having games canceled because of the team’s coronavirus outbreak. The Cardinals haven’t played since July 29 and aren’t scheduled to play again until Thursday because 16 members of the team have tested positive for coronavirus.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt revealed on Sunday that members of the team had to go to the emergency room.

It seems nearly impossible that the Cardinals will play their full 60-game schedule in 2020. And teams like Cleveland are realizing that. With Miami and St. Louis already having coronavirus outbreaks during the season among players and staff, Major League Baseball’s ability to play a full 2020 season is dependent on similar outbreaks not happening.

Cleveland sure looks like it’s trying to do its part to not be the third team with a significant in-season outbreak.

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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