Mike

Clevinger

The White Sox gave Clevinger a try as a reliever last year, but it didn’t take at all. After returning to the minors, he made 22 starts for Triple-A Charlotte with a 4.20 ERA and a 93/36 K/BB in 100 2/3 innings. He’s enjoyed major league success just once in four years since returning from Tommy John surgery, going 9-9 with a 3.77 ERA for the White Sox in 2023, and he seems like quite a long shot to help the Pirates.

Clevinger had an absolutely miserable 2025 campaign for the White Sox, registering a 7.94 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and a 3/8 K/BB ratio over 5 2/3 innings in eight appearances. While he’s now free to land elsewhere, the 34-year-old right-hander may find it difficult to find another opportunity.

While Clevinger has worked as a starter at times — both with the White Sox and Triple-A Charlotte — he’s expected to pitch out of the bullpen this time around. The 34-year-old hurler holds a miserable 7.94 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and a 3/8 K/BB ratio over 5 2/3 innings with the White Sox this season. He can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

After failing as a reliever last month, Clevinger has returned to starting and could reemerge as a factor for the White Sox in a few weeks. Oddly enough, he showed better velocity Thursday night than as a one-inning guy for the White Sox, averaging 94.4 mph with his fastball. He was at 93.2 mph in his 5 2/3 innings of relief work.

Looks like the whole Clevinger as a reliever experiment is over. The decision seemingly eliminates any path he would’ve had to fantasy relevance this season. The 34-year-old righty, who was removed earlier this week from Chicago’s 40-man roster, can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats until further notice.

It’s no surprise that a team wasn’t interested in Clevinger after he was designated for assignment. He can either report to Triple-A or elect free agency.

Clevinger forged an ERA of 7.94 in his eight appearances with the White Sox. Chicago has seen enough, so Steven Wilson will take his place on the roster. It’s doubtful Clevinger will have interest on the waiver wire.

Walks aren’t typically a major issue for Clevinger, but they have been this year; he’s issued seven to the 17 batters he’s faced. His velocity was also down significantly in this one, so it seems like something might be going on. Viewed as the favorite for saves in the White Sox pen, Clevinger has yet to actually receive a save chance, and this certainly won’t help his cause.

The 34-year-old didn’t allow a run this spring, while striking out eight, walking just one, and allowing three hits in six innings. Not only did he make the White Sox, but there’s a good chance he will be the team’s closer to start the season. He’s worthy of a speculative pickup in most fantasy formats.

In his new role as a one-inning guy, Clevinger averaged 94.7 mph with his fastball today, up from 93.4 mph last year. That’s interesting, but perhaps more notable was that he was throwing his curveball four mph harder than last year. He even hit 90 mph with the cutter he typically throws in the mid-80s. No one is rooting for him, but Clevinger might prove to be an adequate closer for the White Sox.