Indians’ Ramirez, Reyes isolated after COVID-19 violations

CLEVELAND » Cleveland Indians third baseman José Ramírez and slugger Franmil Reyes have been isolated from their teammates at spring training after breaking COVID-19 protocols.

Manager Terry Francona said Sunday that the two players have been sent to their temporary homes in Arizona as the Indians await word from the league as to when they can rejoin the team.

Francona said Reyes drove to the Indians’ exhibition game on Friday in Mesa and went to get a haircut following the 10-4 win.

Reyes, who had a similar misstep last year when spring training resumed after the coronavirus-caused shutdown, told the Indians that he and Ramirez then went out to dinner and were indoors, which violates COVID-19 guidelines established by Major League Baseball and the players’ union.

Francona said Reyes and Ramirez came to the team’s complex on Saturday and were immediately sent home. They did not have contact with any other players or team personnel.

Felix Hernandez back on the mound, vying for spot with O’s

After a year away, Felix Hernández admittedly has some kinks to work out in his pursuit of a big league roster spot.

“I feel like real quick to the plate, like I was rushing the ball, I was opening myself too quick,” Hernández said after making his debut for the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night. “I’m going to be better at the end of the spring.”

It’s still a bit weird to think of King Felix in another uniform after the right-hander made 418 starts in 15 seasons for Seattle, winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2010.