ADAM PLUTKO NEWS

Indians' playoff positioning hurt by 8-0 loss to Pirates

The Cleveland Indians suffered a setback in their bid to host a first-round playoff series, losing 8-0 to Joe Musgrove and the major league-worst Pittsburgh Pirates

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up win No. 2 Plutko pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one, two earn the win over the Pirates on Friday.

Impact Plutko entered the ninth inning in a relatively low-pressure scenario as the Indians were already down 3-1 and just wanted to keep the game close. The right-hander did just that as he got through the inning with ease while only allowing a single to Jared Oliva. Plutko has some appearances as a starter this season but has recently seen his opportunities come from the bullpen. The 28-year-old has a 4.88 ERA across 27.2 innings and could be used in long relief during the postseason if needed.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Walk away: Indians rally again, keep AL Central hopes alive

César Hernández's RBI double with two outs in the ninth inning helped Cleveland rally for its third walk-off win in four days, a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ramírez, Indians clinch playoff spot with 5-3 win over WSox

José Ramírez hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning, giving Cleveland a wild 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox that clinched a playoff berth for the Indians

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reyes HR, 5 RBIs, Indians get 20 hits, rout Cardinals 14-2

Franmil Reyes homered and drove in five runs, Carlos Santana hit a home run and scored four times and the Cleveland Indians routed the St. Louis Cardinals 14-2

AUGUST 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Records four-inning save Plutko pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out two to pick up the save in Friday's 14-2 win over the Cardinals.

Impact It was a rare save in baseball, as Plutko pitched the necessary three or more innings to be eligible, while Cam Hill's one scoreless inning earned him the win. Plutko isn't in the mix to take Brad Hand's closer job anytime soon. The 28-year-old Plutko has a 5.57 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 21 innings across six appearances (four starts), but he's likely to be used for long-relief situations like he was on Friday.

AUGUST 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dominic Smith hits key homer as Mets beat Yankees 6-4

AUGUST 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Uncertain to start Wednesday Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Plutko is "penciled in" for Wednesday's start against the Twins, but a decision has yet to be finalized, Mandy Bell of...

Impact Plutko joined the Cleveland rotation earlier this month, shortly after both Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger were placed on the restricted list and later optioned to the Indians' alternate training site for violating COVID-19-related safety protocols. The right-hander hasn't impressed in any of his first three turns through the rotation, working no more than four innings in any start while posting a 9.90 ERA and 1.86 WHIP. Prospect Triston McKenzie appears to have already leapfrogged him on the depth chart after a dominant MLB debut over the weekend, so Plutko would likely be headed back to the bullpen if the Indians decide to add one or both of Clevinger or Plesac back to the 28-man roster this week.

AUGUST 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Roughed up Friday Plutko (1-2) allowed seven runs on five hits (two home runs) and two walks while striking out just one batter across 3.1 innings as he took the loss Friday versus the Tigers.

Impact Plutko was able to record the first 10 outs of the game without much trouble and then proceeded to give up seven runs in the fourth without managing to get another batter out. Friday's start figures to be Plutko's last one for a while as the Indians could recall Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger from the team's alternate training site soon.

AUGUST 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Paredes slams, Tigers end 20-game losing streak to Indians

Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5

AUGUST 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cleveland Indians’ 20-game win streak over Tigers snapped as Plutko implodes The Cleveland Indians suffered their first loss to the Detroit Tigers since April of 2019 Friday after a rough start from Adam Plutko. Two w...

AUGUST 22, 2020 • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Fulmer, Tigers to take on Plutko, Indians

The Detroit Tigers visit the Cleveland Indians

AUGUST 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Draws another start Plutko is slated to start Friday's series opener versus the Tigers, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Indians aren't yet planning to bring back Opening Day rotation members Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac back from the alternate training site, so Plutko and prospect Triston MacKenzie will both be making starts this weekend. Plutko has already made two turns through the rotation as the Tribe's No. 4 starter, working 6.2 innings between the outings and giving up four runs on 10 hits and a walk.

AUGUST 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Knocked around in short outing Plutko allowed three runs on six hits, striking out one across 2.2 inning pitched in Sunday's 8-5 win over Detroit. He did not factor in the decision.

Impact Plutko took Mike Clevinger's (not injury related) spot in the starting rotation once again Sunday. He was able to get through the first two innings unscathed, but quickly ran into trouble in the third. Five hits, including three doubles, led to three runs for the Tigers and ultimately bounced the right-hander from the game with two outs in third. Depending on whether or not Clevinger and Zach Plesac (not injury related) are activated to the big-league roster for the next turn around the rotation, Plutko could draw another start against Detroit on Thursday.

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers' frustrations rise during sweep For a brief moment Sunday afternoon, the Tigers appeared poised to end the Indians’ winning streak against them. Four third-inning hits off...

AUGUST 16, 2020 • MLB.COM

Bieber sharp again, Indians beat Tigers for 19th time in row

Shane Bieber dominated once again, striking out 11 in seven scoreless innings, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Detroit Tigers for the 19th straight time, winning 3-1

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Indians demote Clevinger, Plesac after protocol violation

The Cleveland Indians activated pitchers Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger from the restricted list and optioned them to the team’s alternate training site

AUGUST 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Indians' Plesac upset with portrayal after COVID violation

Indians pitcher Zach Plesac feels he and teammate Mike Clevinger have been unfairly portrayed in the aftermath of the pitchers being quarantined by the team for violating COVID-19...

AUGUST 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tough-luck loss Plutko (1-1) allowed one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out two across four innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Cubs.

Impact Plutko made a spot start in the place of Mike Clevinger (not injury related) and threw four effective innings. He allowed his only run in the second frame, when he surrendered two singles and a walk to three consecutive batters. Whether Plutko's next appearance comes out of the bullpen or as a starter will depend on when Clevinger and Zach Plesac (not injury related) are able to rejoin the team.

AUGUST 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lester, Heyward (4 RBIs) power Cubs to 7-1 win over Indians

Jon Lester pitched six strong innings and Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 7-1 win over Cleveland

AUGUST 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lester scheduled to start for Chicago at Cleveland

The Cleveland Indians face the Chicago Cubs

AUGUST 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP source: Indians' Clevinger flew with team after violation

A person familiar with the situation said Indians starter Mike Clevinger flew home with his teammates despite knowing he had broken the club’s COVID-19 protocols by going out with...

AUGUST 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting Tuesday for Clevinger Plutko will start Tuesday against the Cubs in place of Mike Clevinger (not injury related), Nick Camino of WKYC Channel 3 Cleveland reports.

Impact Clevinger has been told to quarantine after violating team protocols during Cleveland's recent road trip to Chicago. Plutko earned the win in his first start of the season back on July 28, completing six innings against the White Sox on just 86 pitches. It's uncertain whether he will be available for a similar pitch count Tuesday.

AUGUST 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE