PEORIA, Ariz. – If right-hander Mike Clevinger works in the White Sox bullpen, and more specifically in a closer’s role, it doesn’t necessarily mean the 34-year-old right-hander who spent most of his career as a starter will come to work with a lighter tool belt.
Closers can be effective with two pitches, but Clevinger, who throws a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball that runs into right-handers, sweeper, hard slider, curveball and changeup, might bring them all to work.
“We might look at who’s coming up in the order, and who depending who it as and what [his tendencies are], just have all the options to use,” Clevinger told the Sun-Times Saturday before throwing live batting practice for the first time since signing a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training eight days ago.
Clevinger, who is coming off disc replacement surgery in his neck on Aug. 1, said he has always wanted to be a starter but closing appeals to him and “fits my personality.”
After throwing two bullpens, he had the first of two live batting practices. He said his first game is slated for March 9.
“Really excited to see what it’s like then,” he said.
Both pitching coach Ethan Katz and manager Will Venable said Clevinger, who threw 20 pitches Saturday, looked good.
“He’s got a lot of pitches and a big mix,” Venable said. “But the breaking ball looked really good. Most importantly he came out of it feeling really good.”
“It was coming out [of his hand] really well, he looked strong and athletic. So a good outing for him. We’ll see how he progresses. It’s going to be really important to see how he rebounds. All good so far.”
Clevinger, who was limited to four starts (with a 6.75 ERA) last season, said he feels as good as he has since 2019 and in bullpens was sitting at 92-95 mph. That’s noteworthy, because “when I’m averaging 95-96 [in games] I’ll be like 88-91 in bullpens,” he said.
Taylor out with sore elbow
Outfielder Michael A. Taylor was scratched from the lineup with right (throwing) elbow inflammation.
“We’ll get some more information when he goes in this afternoon for imaging and we’ll continue to evaluate,” Venable said.
Taylor was signed to a one-year major league deal before the start of spring training. The Sox lost left fielder Andrew Benintendi with a broken bone on his right hand Thursday.
Thorpe progressing
Right-hander Drew Thorpe “looked great” in his bullpen Friday, Venable said, and will be ramping up next week as he works his way back from a sore elbow.
Thorpe, expected to have a spot in the starting rotation if and when he is healthy, threw breaking pitches and expects to get up and down to simulate more than an inning of work next week.
He will not open the season with the major league team.
*Third baseman Bryan Ramos has been dealing with similar and is close to starting program. Ramos has been hitting and participating fully at everything else.
*Getz said “it’s too early” to know what the next course of action is for right-hander Prelander Berroa, who exited the Cactus League opener against the Cubs last Saturday with a Grade 1 elbow strain.
“It’s going to take a little bit of time to know what the next step is,” Getz said.