White Sox's Mike Clevinger: Poised for ninth-inning role
Rotowire
Manager Will Venable said Friday that Clevinger will be "near the top" of the White Sox's options for the ninth inning, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Venable indicated he may utilize multiple pitchers in the closer role, but naming Clevinger specifically could make him the early favorite for saves in Chicago. The veteran right-hander has recorded three strikeouts while not allowing a baserunner in his two spring appearances. Clevinger is set to work as a full-time reliever for the first time in his career after making just four starts for the White Sox last season while contending with neck and elbow injuries.
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White Sox's Mike Clevinger: Strikes out two in spring debut
Rotowire
Clevinger (neck) struck out two batters over a perfect inning of relief Sunday in the White Sox's 1-0 loss to the Guardians in Cactus League play.
Clevinger re-signed with the White Sox on a minor-league deal Feb. 21, but he didn't make his spring debut until Sunday while he completed his recovery from the disc replacement surgery he required for his neck back on Aug. 1. The 34-year-old righty retired the side in efficient fashion Sunday, needing just 11 pitches to complete a 1-2-3 inning. Clevinger has worked almost exclusively as a starter over parts of eight seasons in the big leagues, but he'll be vying for a late-inning relief role with Chicago while the organization prioritizes younger arms in the rotation.
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White Sox's Mike Clevinger: Set for spring debut
Rotowire
Clevinger (neck) is expected to make his spring debut Sunday, Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Clevinger is competing for a bullpen role with the White Sox this spring after signing in late February. A neck injury ended his 2024 season, though he's been throwing live batting practice and will now be set for his spring debut.
White Sox's Mike Clevinger: Under consideration for relief role
Rotowire
The White Sox are considering using Clevinger (neck) in a late-inning relief role, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
It's just one of the roles the team is mulling, as it first wants to see what Clevinger looks like in camp after the hurler was inked to a minor-league contract Thursday. More than 90 percent of Clevinger's 156 career appearances in the majors have come as a starter, but he's had injury difficulties in recent years -- including being limited to just four starts in 2024 due to neck and elbow issues -- so it's possible a bullpen role gives him a better chance to stay healthy. The White Sox do have an opening at closer, should he prove to be effective in relief. The 34-year-old had neck surgery last July and it's not clear whether he'll have any restrictions this spring.
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White Sox's Mike Clevinger: Back with ChiSox
Rotowire
Clevinger (neck) signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox that includes an invitation to spring training Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Clevinger had an injury-marred 2024 season for the White Sox, as he was able to make only four starts due to neck and elbow injuries. When he was last fully healthy in 2023, Clevinger managed a 3.77 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 131.1 innings. If he can stay on the mound throughout spring training, he would seemingly have a decent chance of cracking the Opening Day roster and securing a spot in the rotation.
