Former Guardians rotation stalwart’s career on last legs after latest Pirates release 

For parts of five seasons, Mike Clevinger was a staple in the Cleveland Guardians’ rotation. Although he was never the ace of Cleveland’s rotation, he was a solid rock in one of the greatest rotations in recent MLB history. 

But the embers of career seem to have finally burned out over the weekend, as he triggered the opt-out clause in his clause and was granted his release from the Pirates’ Triple-A team. 

Even if Clevinger ends up latching on somewhere else on a minor league contract, it seems like this could be it for the former Cleveland starter. 

Mike Clevinger’s time in baseball could be over 

Clevinger ended up posting a 3.20 ERA in 523 1/3 innings highlighted by a 200 innings season in 2018 and a 2.71 ERA in 2019. But Cleveland’s front office capitalized on his value in the truncated season by dealing him to the Padres at the 2020 deadline in exchange for a plethora of prospects. 

It would have been a great trade steal even if Clevinger had continued that in San Diego, but he underwent Tommy John surgery after just 20 innings in 2020.

He returned in 2022 and was an average pitcher, and then spent three seasons kicking around the White Sox system. 

His last MLB appearances came in the beginning of 2025 when he had seven subpar relief performances (one of which was when he allowed a walk-off walk in the Guardians’ home opener). 

He’s spent all season in the Pirates’ minor league system, but posted a 4.74 ERA in 24 2/3 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis. He also racked up 24 strikeouts and 10 walks. 

While Clevinger was once a dominant stater, it seems fair to say that he’s washed. 

It also doesn’t help that Clevinger has had multiple off-the-field issues throughout his career. During the 2020 season, Clevinger violated MLB COVID-19 policy and lied about it, which set up his eventual trade to the Padres. 

He also was accused of domestic violence by the mother of one of his children, but MLB eventually ruled that he wouldn’t face any discipline under MLB's joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

But teams would still take a chance on Clevinger if he was able to pitch, and the fact that he hasn’t gotten a look this year says it all. 

Last year was the first season he worked as a reliever (and he only did it in the big leagues), but he leaned into it full-time this season in the hopes it would extend his big league career. 

But he never got a shot for a Pirates team that has a 4.21 bullpen ERA, and it’s hard to believe he’ll get a shot anywhere else. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow