Mike

Clevinger

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.

The 34-year-old hurler has pitched almost exclusively as a starting pitcher throughout his career, but is embracing the shift to the bullpen. Venable has liked what he has seen so far from Clevinger, telling reporters, “It certainly seems like he’s got the right mentality for it... 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.” If he succeeds in the role, there’s a chance that Clevinger could thrust himself into the competition for the closer’s role to begin the season.

Clevinger has been a wholly ineffective pitcher over the past few seasons and dealt with injuries, but could help the White Sox while not helping fantasy managers as a multi-inning option. If he does pitch well enough to make the team, Chicago will need to make a move to add him to the 40-man roster.

Clevinger has been absolutely terrible on the mound over the last two seasons while also dealing with injuries including a disc replacement surgery that sidelined him late in July. The 34-year-old will be given a shot to win a rotation spot, but even if he were to open the year with the White Sox, nothing since the start of 2023 suggests that it’ll go very well.