After pitching for two separate minor league organizations for the Angels in 2014, on August 7 he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Vinnie Pestano.[6][7] Clevinger spent 2015 with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks, going 9–8 with a 2.73 earned run average (ERA). The Indians added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
Clevinger was called up by the Indians on May 18, 2016, and made his major league debut that evening.[8] He returned to the minor leagues after three starts, spending the next three months with the Columbus Clippers. Clevinger finished his time with Columbus with 11 wins, a loss, and a 3.00 ERA. He was called back up again on August 4, 2016, to start against the Minnesota Twins.[9] He finished the season appearing in 17 games, 10 of them starts, going 3–3 in 53 innings. After injuries to a few starters in 2017, Clevinger stepped into the rotation and proved to be an asset for the Indians going forward. He finished with a 12–6 record in 27 games, 21 starts. He struck out 137 batters in 121+2⁄3 innings.
On August 11, 2020, Clevinger and teammate Zach Plesac were placed on the restricted list by the Indians and sent home by the team after violating COVID-19 safety protocols.[10] Clevinger and Plesac faced significant backlash from teammates over their behavior, with Óliver Pérez announcing that he would leave the team if they returned to the roster. Teammates were also frustrated about potentially exposing Carlos Carrasco, who recently had leukemia, to the coronavirus.[11]
San Diego Padres
On August 31, 2020, the Indians traded Clevinger, along with Greg Allen and Matt Waldron to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Austin Hedges, Josh Naylor, Cal Quantrill, and minor league players Gabriel Arias, Owen Miller, and Joey Cantillo.[12] On November 15, 2020, Clevinger and the Padres agreed to a two-year contract extension, with annual salaries of $2 million in 2021 and $6.5 million in 2022, with a $3 million signing bonus. On the same day, it was announced that Clevinger would need to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2021 season.[13] On February 18, 2021, Clevinger was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery.[14]
Chicago White Sox
On December 4, 2022, Clevinger signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Chicago White Sox with a mutual option of $12 million for the 2024 season or a $4 million buyout.[15] He made his first White Sox start on April 2 vs. the Houston Astros where he went 5 innings giving up 3 hits, walking 3, and struck out 8 getting the win. On June 14 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clevinger exited the game in the 5th inning. He was placed on the IL two days later with right bicep inflammation. On August 29, he was placed on waivers by the White Sox, but was not claimed and remained with the team.[16] He became a free agent following the season.
Pitching style
Clevinger's pitching repertoire includes a fastball he can throw as hard as 99 miles per hour, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup.[17][18]
Personal life
Clevinger has three daughters. The first daughter was born on May 2, 2016.[19] The second daughter was born on March 20, 2017.[20]
Clevinger's nickname is "Sunshine," one he received after teammates likened him to Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass from the film Remember the Titans.[21]
On January 24, 2023, Clevinger was placed under investigation by Major League Baseball for alleged domestic violence and child abuse against his 10-month-old daughter and her mother.[22] On March 5, 2023, MLB announced it had completed its investigation and announced it "will not be imposing discipline on Mr. Clevinger in connection with these allegations."[23]
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