ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The White Sox called up right-hander Mike Clevinger from Triple-A Charlotte to start against the Rays Monday at Tropicana Field.
It did not go well.
Clevinger walked four, allowed six hits and escaped with four runs scored (three earned) in two-plus innings, setting the tone for a 8-2 loss halting the Sox’ two-game winning streak and three-game streak they owned against the Rays (18-18). He was pulled with two runners on and no outs in the third, trailing 4-2.
“Didn’t control the zone,” said Clevinger, who threw 54 pitches. “The stuff was really good for the progression I’m at but I have to do a better job controlling those counts and have a better offspeed in better spots early on.”
Clevinger knew the velocity on his gyro slider and sweeper were down a bit.
“It’s just finding my groove with those pitches,” he said.
Clevinger agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal on April 4 to return to the Sox. He was optioned to the Arizona Complex League before making two starts for Charlotte in preparation for his first start.
Clevinger gets added to a mix that includes five other starters including Brad Keller, who made his first start Friday but could be available out of the bullpen this next time through the rotation. The Sox also have Garrett Crochet, Erick Fedde, Michael Soroka and Chris Flexen, the latter two starting the next two games of the Rays series.
“Yeah, you’re digging into a decision we’re not ready to divulge yet,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “We’ll use one of those guys out of the pen in a piggyback and maybe go six-man once in a while. We’ll see how it goes.”
Mike Clevinger pic.twitter.com/6oYFjVB3R0
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) May 7, 2024
Sox starters were 2-1 with a 3.93 ERA over 10 games before Clevinger’s dud. His command was off from the get-go. One of his six recorded outs came on a pickoff.
Not finding a deal with a team as a free agent during the offseason worked out for the best on a personal level, Clevinger said. His father died in Florida on March 20 and not being in spring training allowed Clevinger to have a final visit.
“I got to drive up to Jacksonville and see him for a few hours the day before the passing,” he said. “So everything has a reason.”
"[General manager Chris] Getz and Pedro’s belief in wanting me back, that goes a long way with me,” Clevinger said.
Pham, bam!
Tommy Pham’s opposite field homer against Rays lefty Tyler Alexander in the third was his second in 10 games since joining the Sox. It cut the Rays lead to 3-2, but the Rays got one back quickly when Amed Rosario’s triple to deep center eluded Pham’s glove as he retreated toward the wall before Rosario scored on Harold Rairez’ single.
Jonny DeLuca’s two-run homer against lefty Jared Shuster in the fifth broke the game open.
Pham’s homer was one of four hits for the Sox (8-27), who did not have a hit after Nicky Lopez’ single in the fifth.
Leone goes on IL
To make room on the 26-man roster for Clevinger, right-hander reliever Dominic Leone was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 5. Leone exited the Saturday’s game against the Cardinals with low back tightness.
Leone has allowed 11 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings over 17 appearances.
