Padres’ RHP Mike Clevinger will undergo Tommy John surgery
Credit: USA Today Sports
The San Diego Padres announced Monday afternoon that starting pitcher, Mike Clevinger will undergo Tommy John Surgery on November 17.
The Padres also announced a two-year contract extension for Clevinger that will replace his two remaining years of arbitration.
Mike Clevinger is undergoing Tommy John surgery in Cincinnati tomorrow, the team announced. He’s also agreed to a two-year, $11.5 million deal that will buy out his arb years. Clevinger will make $2M in ‘21, $6.5M in ‘22 with a $3M deferred bonus, plus performance bonuses in ‘22.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) November 16, 2020
San Diego acquired him at the MLB trade deadline on August 31. He made just five starts, two of which only lasted one inning before being pulled due to injury.
Injuries are nothing new for Clevinger. Since Clevinger pitched 200 innings in 2018, injuries have plagued him and prevented him from reaching his full potential. In that time, he has made four separate trips to the injured list, with two of them coming as a Padre.
When healthy, Clevinger is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. His 3.19 career ERA in 542 innings with 603 strikeouts are no joke. His problem is staying on the field, and it looks as if this will continue.
In the trade for Clevinger, the Padres sent away RHP Cal Quantrill, first baseman and outfielder Josh Naylor, catcher Austin Hedges, and prospects Joey Cantillo, Gabrial Arias, and Owen Miller.
It is expected for Mike Clevinger to miss the entire 2021 season. Hopes are that he will return early for the 2022 season.
Dominic is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism. He also is the producer and co-host of the “Padres EVT Podcast.”
I agree completely with TT. One of my favorite Padres was Cal Quantrill. I wouldn’t have traded Quantrill for Clevenger straight up–and especially not with Owen Miller, Joey Cantillo, etc. The Indians realized that Clevenger was having arm issues and were glad to trade him. That’s why they were sure to keep Plesac despite the Covid issue. The Padres never gave Quantrill a chance.
One of the worst trades ever. And it will continue to get worse and worse. Even giving him that amount of money is really bad (at least without getting something in return, like an extra year). At best he is going to pitch about 15 to 20 games for the Padres, so almost a million per start. Yikes!!!
At least they admitted what everyone knew, TJ was necessary. Next comes TJ for DL. The Padres will be middle of the road again, at least for the next few years.