Mike Clevinger Joins Pittsburgh Pirates: A Boost to the Pitching Rotation
The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger to a minor league contract, and he will be joining the team for big league spring training. Clevinger, who is 35 years old, has played for Cleveland, San Diego, and the Chicago White Sox over nine seasons, boasting a 3.55 ERA in his career.
In recent years, Clevinger has faced injury challenges and struggled with the White Sox last spring when he was moved to the bullpen. However, he showed improvement after returning to the rotation with Triple-A Charlotte, where he posted a 7-3 record with a 4.20 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 22 starts last summer.
The Pirates have a young pitching rotation, with standout players like NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, experienced pitcher Mitch Keller, and promising rookie Bubba Chandler, who had a successful stint in the majors at the end of last season. Clevinger had his best performances with Cleveland from 2017 to 2019, where he had a 38-18 record with a 2.91 ERA.
The addition of Mike Clevinger to the Pirates' pitching staff brings experience and depth to the team's rotation. With his track record of success in the majors and his recent strong showing in the minors, Clevinger could be a valuable asset for the Pirates as they aim to strengthen their pitching staff for the upcoming season.