San Diego Padres‘ right-hander Mike Clevinger was supposed to make his 2022 debut on Tuesday against his former team, the Cleveland Guardians.
However, the game was postponed due to inclement weather, and a doubleheader was set for Wednesday.
Clevinger took the ball in the first game of the twin bill, and so far, his debut has been a positive.
“Mike Clevinger with his first strikeout since game 1 of the 2020 NLDS!,” Talkin’ Baseball tweeted this afternoon, with a video of the right-hander earning a punchout.
Mike Clevinger with his first strikeout since game 1 of the 2020 NLDS! pic.twitter.com/zDnpeJNO1q
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 4, 2022
So far, Clevinger has pitched four innings while allowing just one earned run, striking out four foes against only one walk.
Manager Bob Melvin sent him to complete his fifth inning of the afternoon, and he was still on the mound at the moment of writing this piece.
The Padres Needed To Recover Clevinger
Getting Clevinger back is a huge boon for the Padres’ postseason chances.
The pitcher, acquired in 2020 via trade with Cleveland, pitched a handful of starts with the Friars before succumbing to injury.
In 2020, it was determined that he needed Tommy John surgery, and the road back was long.
He also had to deal with a recent knee sprain, which was the injury that kept him sidelined to start the 2022 campaign.
He is now ready to start returning the organization and the fans’ faith with his performances on the mound.
When healthy, Clevinger is capable of posting a mid-3.00s ERA with a boatload of whiffs.
In short, he will make the Padres’ rotation much better and deeper, and his return should be celebrated.
He could be one of the true difference-makers in what is looking like a tough NL West division once again.
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