Free-agent right-hander Mike Clevinger, arguably the White Sox’ best starting pitcher last season, is returning to the team on a one-year contract, a source confirmed to the Sun-Times on Monday.
Clevinger, 33, was 9-9 with a 3.77 ERA in 24 starts in 2023. His 3.3 wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference, was second on the Sox behind All-Star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. and slightly higher than fellow starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Dylan Cease. But in a slow market, Clevinger remained unsigned in the offseason and into the first week of the season until the Sox struck a deal Monday.
The rotation currently consists of Garrett Crochet, Michael Soroka, Erick Fedde, Chris Flexen and probably Nick Nastrini, who wasn’t on the Opening Day roster and hasn’t pitched in the majors.
Crochet is in his first season as a starter and will have his innings monitored.
The Sox also have right-hander Brad Keller waiting in the wings to join the team this month as he works his way back from shoulder surgery last year. The need to fill innings always exists and could become even greater at the trade deadline this summer if the rebuilding Sox, who fell to 0-4 on Monday, end up parting with veteran pitching for prospects.
Clevinger became a free agent in the winter after declining his part of a $12 million mutual option with the Sox.
After initially signing him in November 2022, the Sox found themselves in a swirl of controversy when it became known he’d been accused by a former partner of physical abuse. The Sox said they weren’t aware of the allegations when they signed him. An MLB investigation could not determine that Clevinger violated the joint policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, and he wasn’t disciplined.
Sox staff, including manager Pedro Grifol, said last season that they were pleased with Clevinger’s professionalism. Players said they found him to be a good teammate.
“They loved him,” one source familiar with the clubhouse dynamics said Monday.
Asked about the signing — which wasn’t yet official shortly after Monday’s loss to the Braves — Grifol declined to comment.
“I’ve got no news on Clevinger,” he said.
It’s not yet known how much time Clevinger will need at the Sox’ training facilities in Arizona and/or with a minor-league affiliate before he’s ready to pitch.
