Mike Clevinger has started 142 of his 156 career Major League games, and only one of his 14 relief appearances has come during Clevinger’s last six seasons. However, now that the right-hander has returned to the White Sox on a minor league deal, the team intends to look at Clevinger as relief pitching during Spring Training and into the regular season.
“Everything looks really crisp, and just hopefully we can continue to give him opportunities to see what it looks like out of the bullpen and hopefully it all lines up,” Sox manager Will Venable told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin and other reporters. “I think the focus right now is getting into the routine of shortening down, and seeing what the recovery looks like in between appearances. We’ll go from there as we continue to build out our roster.”
The decision is a little surprising given Clevinger’s history as a starter, and the lack of experience within Chicago’s rotation. Martin Perez was signed to a one-year, $5MM to be the veteran anchor of the staff, and Bryse Wilson (who has pitched in each of the last seven MLB seasons) was brought in as at least a swingman, and possibly a full-time rotation member. Beyond that duo, Jonathan Cannon and Sean Burke only made their big league debuts last season, and Davis Martin has 113 1/3 innings over parts of the 2022 and 2024 seasons.
Still, it isn’t surprising that the rebuilding White Sox want to see what these younger arms (plus others competing for rotation jobs) have to offer, rather than give innings to the 34-year-old Clevinger. The new bullpen role also reflects the reality of Clevinger’s abbreviated and injury-riddled 2024 season, as he was limited to 16 innings due to elbow inflammation and then a disc surgery on his neck in early August. Clevinger also didn’t sign until early April, so he spent his first month ramping up in the minors before making his 2024 debut in May.
On the injury front, Clevinger told Merkin that he is feeling far better in the aftermath of the neck procedure, and also provided some insight into just how many additional issues he was facing due to his disc problem.
“That first night after surgery I slept better than I had in probably six months. I was throwing two weeks after that, and now I feel as healthy as I have since 2019,” Clevinger said. “I instantly was already moving my head around better. My [scapula] mobility got a lot better. I was sleeping better. I was throwing bullpens again. By the time I got back to lifting and throwing bullpens, all the numbness in my hand, the forearm muscles shutting down, all that stuff had already stopped.”
In regards to his bullpen job, Clevinger views the transition as “an interesting new challenge” after years of establishing his starting pitching routine. “It’s going to be finding the flow of things, when I’m getting ready, the throwing before the game, and just really ironing out those details is going to be the biggest challenge,” the right-hander said. “I don’t think it will be a problem. Mitigate each day to try to get back out there and go back-to-back days, three games in a row, and find that flow.”
If there seemed to be plenty of opportunity within the White Sox rotation, the bullpen is the same story. Sox GM Chris Getz said earlier this week that Clevinger could even receive consideration as the team’s closer, underscoring how fluid things are with Chicago’s roster.
Countless starting pitchers have revitalized their careers with moves to the bullpen, so there’s certainly a chance Clevinger could join this long list. Since the White Sox aren’t aiming to contend, every veteran player is a potential deadline trade chip, and a successful reliever version of Clevinger could certainly garner some interest by midseason.
Smart move with Clev
Smarter would be not even signing him
Regardless of how he’s used, they’re going to need him to absorb innings.
“That first night after surgery … that stuff had already stopped”.
Thanks Mike for the detailed account of what an injury feels like and how it effects doing your job. Interesting.
At least he isn’t sulking over where they’re putting him.
Why not just sign another actual reliever to the same deal? There’s literally no upside here. No matter how he pitches no one will want him so you won’t be able to trade him.
Sometimes teams like Chicago have to do this when they’re prospects aren’t ready because they’re early in their rebuild. He’s saying the surgery was a godsend, basically. So, it’s a low risk, possibly high reward. If he doesn’t pitch great, no loss. If he does, then they’ll have a good innings eater with one spot they don’t have to worry about even if they can’t trade him. If he’s outstanding, I’m willing to bet they can trade him to a team that’s contending. Mind you, if he’s outstanding.
People used to think similar about Luke Weaver. Clevinger has had a lot of success in his career (much more than Weaver had before last season) and if he’s finally healthy he can contribute to the team. He’s also on a minor league deal and is very low risk. If it doesn’t work out they can just cut him.
Of course they can just cut him. I’m saying no matter how well he does, there is no upside as no team will trade for him. He had to hold out for a cheap MLB deal and signed in April last year…by the White Sox. He could only land a MiLB deal…by the White Sox. No one else wants him.
When was the last time you used the term upside and White Sox in the same thought?
It’s been a minute for sure
The thing about the Sox is that their players are all so bad, they are all interchangeable. It doesn’t matter who plays where. ‘You’re a shortstop? OK, we’re gonna try you as our no. 3 starter.’ With this bunch of losers, what difference does it make? As for all those so-called prospects, most of them have been in the minors so long they’re starting to go gray around the temples. They might have some promising prospects, but the Sox don’t have anyone in their organization that knows how to develop that alleged talent.
You’re telling me that if Clevinger goes out and has an 2.70 ERA with a 12 k/9 out of the pen, NO ONE is going to want to trade for him at the deadline? Terrible teams trade guys at the deadline all the time and get good value. Just look at the Marlins last year.
Why are you so sure no team will trade for him if he’s having success? People thought the same about Graveman when he first transitioned to the pen.
Of course some team will trade for him if he becomes a good closer, which is in the realm of possibilities here. Dennis Eckersley was a good starter, not a great one, before he began his run as a closer. Not saying Clevinger will be that great at the job, but he definitely has the potential to be a good one.
Because of his personality. No one likes the guy enough to give him a shot besides the team where he has an in with someone from ownership (it’s true)
Because of his personality. No one likes the guy enough to give him a shot besides the team where he has an in with someone from ownership (minority but it’s true)
It makes sense as they will probably have injuries and will need a spot starter (unless of course he is the one that gets injured)
I like the move, Clevinger finds his stride in the bullpen and Sox have the option to move him into the rotation.
Sox future is on the farm. Clevinger has some time to put it together. I still look at him as a starter.
If he does find success in the bullpen, will be interesting to see if the Sox move him into the rotation or keep him in the bullpen.
If he finds success in the bullpen, he likely will be flipped.
nope
Why use him at all? Are there no other crappy veterans on the market who probably don’t have it anymore but are worth taking a flyer on?
soxygen: There’s plenty. And if they’re willing to play for under $1M and rot in the minors, I’m sure Getz, with his keen eye for talent, will find them.
Mr. Reinsdorf please sell the team. Terrible brand of baseball from ownership to low minors. Ask the Southside. Ready for opening day fans.
Sounds like there is certainly room for a Mr Johnny Cueto on this team
I’d take him over Clevinger for sure
Just better hope he doesn’t stomp anyone’s head. Of course Clevinger has his own skeletons.
In the White Sox big picture, does it really matter?
Fly away vampire. Fly away.