On Sunday, the Chicago White Sox made a key addition to their starting rotation when they signed veteran right-hander Mike Clevinger to a one-year deal.
Clevinger came up with the Cleveland Guardians in 2016 and pitched there until being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2020.
The 31-year-old missed all of 2021 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but made his return in May of 2022.
He went 7-7 with a 4.33 ERA in 23 appearances and 22 starts.
Clevinger joins a rotation that already features Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito, and Michael Kopech.
Adding Clevinger to the mix gives them a solid group of starters in their rotation.
Projected White Sox rotation after signing Mike Clevinger:
1. Dylan Cease
2. Lucas Giolito
3. Mike Clevinger
4. Lance Lynn
5. Michael Kopech— The Game Day MLB (@TheGameDayMLB) November 27, 2022
White Sox Have Solid Rotation Ready For ’23
The right-hander will be another year removed from Tommy John surgery entering the 2023 season.
The White Sox finished with a record of 81-81, 11 games behind the Guardians in the American League Central.
The Guardians already have Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, and Cal Quantrill in their rotation, but with the latest move, the White Sox could end up challenging Cleveland for AL Central supremacy.
The White Sox had won the division in 2021.
But with the addition of Clevinger, they have a chance of regaining their AL Central prominence.
These are five solid starters that will give the team a chance to compete for a spot in the postseason after a disappointing 2022 season.
Clevinger also brings some postseason experience to the White Sox rotation, having been a part of three division winning teams with the Guardians from 2016-18.
More moves could soon follow as the White Sox look to close the gap in the AL Central.
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