Mike

Clevinger

With Carmen Mlodsinski being named the fifth starter and both Jose Urquidy and Hunter Barco making the Opening Day roster, it seems like Clevinger may be the Pirates’ seventh or eighth starter right now. This spring, he allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings while striking out 15 and walking 10. He has pitched only 21 2/3 MLB innings since 2023.

On the plus side, the 35-year-old hurler recorded four of his six outs via the strikeout, while issuing one walk. All of the damage done against him came on the lone hit that Clevinger allowed — a two-run blast by Samuel Basallo in the third inning. He got 10 swings and misses on just 34 pitches in the ballgame, five of them on his cutter, while posting a strong CSW of 38 percent. If he finds a way to latch onto the Pirates’ Opening Day roster, it’s expected to be as a long man in the bullpen. Either way though, don’t expect him to hold any sort of fantasy value.

The 35-year-old right-hander issued four walks on the evening while racking up five punchouts. All of the damage done against him came in the fifth inning as Clevinger loaded the bases with one out before turning the ball over to the bullpen — then both inherited runners came around to score. He got eight swings and misses on 67 offerings on the night, posting a CSW of 30 percent. For the spring, Clevinger now holds a 4.38 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and an 11/9 K/BB ratio over 12 1/3 innings as he desperately tries to land a spot on the Pirates’ Opening Day roster.

Clevinger has been sitting 95 mph this spring, which is 1-2 mph better than he’s typically been since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2022. Still, he has just a 6/5 K/BB in eight innings over three appearances. There wouldn’t seem to be much reason for the Pirates to go with him as their fifth starter.

Clevinger allowed just one hit, struckout three and walked two. The 35-year-old is trying to win a spot in the Pittsburgh rotation, and while these are the type of results he’ll need, he still has a long way to go. Even if Clevinger gets one of those starting gigs, he is a must-avoid in fantasy formats.

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.