Indians Players and Coaches Shave Heads in Support of Mike Aviles' Daughter

As Cleveland Indians utility man Mike Aviles deals with a tough personal situation, his teammates and coaches want him to know that they are there for him.

Zack Meisel of the Northeast Ohio Media Group reported earlier this month that Aviles' four-year-old daughter, Adriana, had been diagnosed with leukemia. Aviles missed eight games so he could be with his little girl.

Now, the Indians want Adriana and the Aviles family to know that they aren't alone.

Update from Sunday, June 7

Indians owner Paul Dolan has joined the cause and shaved his head:

[MLB.com, Twitter]

---End of update---

Initially, just a few players decided to shave their heads to show their support for Adriana, who will lose her hair as a result of chemotherapy. However, that gesture caught on with the rest of the team and has resulted in many buzz cuts.

Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis said, per Paul Hoynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group, that the haircuts were a sign of unity:

"

It's a team thing. It started with Mike's daughter because of what she's going through. Unfortunately, she's going to be losing her hair soon from chemotherapy and we all wanted to join in.

[...]

Mike is one of the best clubhouse guys there is in this entire league. He's been a great person and a great teammate. I think all the guys have done a good job of stepping up to make him feel welcomed and back at home and that nothing has changed.

Numerous guys have told him that if he needs anything at anytime that they'll be there for him. I think baseball has been a good distraction for him.

"

Aviles was very touched by his teammates' grand gesture, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian:

Everyone in that clubhouse realizes there is more to life than just baseball. This is their way of showing one of their own that he's got a lot of support during a tough time.

[MLB.com, Twitter]