The Chicago White Sox reached agreement Monday with free agent right-hander Mike Clevinger on a one-year contract, according to sources briefed on the discussions. The agreement is pending a physical examination. Robert Murray of Fanside was first to report the story.
Clevinger, 33, ranked 31st among Athleticism Top 40 free agents. Of those on that list, only first baseman Brandon Belt (No. 30) and outfielder Tommy Pham (No. 33) remain unsigned.
The trade of Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres on March 14 left the White Sox with a foursome of Garrett Crochet, Michael Soroka, Erick Fedde and Chris Flexen. Although Clevinger likely needs time to prepare, he was an above-average pitcher for the White Sox last season, producing a 3.77 ERA in 24 starts despite missing time due to wrist injuries. and biceps.
The White Sox originally signed Clevinger to a one-year free agent contract worth $12 million on November 27, 2022. MLB was investigating him at the time for an allegation of physical violence and abuse of children by a former partner. But because the investigation was confidential, the White Sox were unaware of the allegations.
In March 2023, the commissioner’s office released a statement saying: that would not discipline Clevinger. According to the release, the investigation included interviews with more than 15 people, including Clevinger and a woman who said she was the mother of Clevinger’s child, as well as the review of thousands of electronic communications and other documents.
Clevinger agreed to be evaluated by the joint processing boards under baseball’s collective bargaining agreement and to follow all of the board’s recommendations, the release said.
“I had nothing to hide and cooperated fully with MLB,” Clevinger said in a statement released by the players’ union.
Clevinger spent his first five seasons with Cleveland, then was traded to the Padres in August 2020 after angering club officials by violating COVID-19 protocols and taking a team flight without informing the club of his actions .
In November, Clevinger underwent Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2021 season. He pitched for the Padres in 2022 while enduring trips to the injured list for knee and back issues. triceps, then joined the White Sox in 2023.
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(Top photo by Mike Clevinger: Quinn Harris/Getty Images)