Mike

Clevinger

The 35-year-old hurler activated the release clause in his minor league deal with the Pirates and is now a free agent once again. Clevinger has made 17 appearances out of the bullpen at Triple-A Indianapolis this season, posting a 4.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 24/10 K/BB ratio across 24 2/3 innings. He’ll see if he is able to latch on elsewhere for the stretch run.

His leg will be immobilized “several weeks.” Clevinger pitched in six games for Indianapolis before getting hurt, culminating in a 5.19 ERA, five walks, nine strikeouts, and a 1.15 WHIP. With the Pirates pitching staff seemingly in good hands at the moment, Clevinger had no real path to the majors.

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.