NC Dinos Sign Former MLB 60-Win Pitcher Mike Clevinger as Temporary Replacement
- Standing 193 centimeters tall and weighing 97 kilograms, Clevinger brings extensive Major League Baseball experience to the South Korean club, according to JoongAng Ilbo.
- He faced domestic violence allegations in 2023 but was cleared with a legal acquittal and subsequently earned nine victories that season, according to JoongAng Ilbo.
- Clevinger arrives in South Korea on September 13 and is scheduled to join the active roster on September 15, according to JoongAng Ilbo.
Major League Career and Pitching Repertoire
Standing 193 centimeters tall and weighing 97 kilograms, Clevinger brings extensive Major League Baseball experience to the South Korean club, according to JoongAng Ilbo. Selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2011 draft, he has pitched across nine major league seasons for the Angels, Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox. Over his big league career, Clevinger amassed a 60-44 record with a 3.55 earned run average through the end of the previous year. He posted three consecutive double-digit win seasons from 2017 through 2019.
He faced domestic violence allegations in 2023 but was cleared with a legal acquittal and subsequently earned nine victories that season, according to JoongAng Ilbo. Having recorded no wins over the last two years, he spent the current season pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league organization before accepting the KBO offer. His pitching arsenal features a fastball averaging 152 kilometers per hour, alongside a changeup, cutter, and sweeper.
Playoff Aspirations and Roster Impact
Clevinger arrives in South Korea on September 13 and is scheduled to join the active roster on September 15, according to JoongAng Ilbo. NC Dinos currently trail the Doosan Bears by three games in the standings as the team chases a postseason berth. Because he signed after the August 15 deadline, Clevinger is ineligible to participate in the postseason. NC Dinos plan to reinstate Taylor for the playoffs should the team qualify, while utilizing Clevinger to navigate the remainder of the regular season schedule, according to JoongAng Ilbo.
Reflecting on his move to the KBO League, Clevinger stated in a club announcement, NC 다이노스에 합류하고 새로운 팀 동료들과 함께 경기에 나설 생각에 기대된다. 팀이 시즌 막바지 중요한 시기를 보내고 있는 만큼, 포스트시즌 진출을 위해 내가 할 수 있는 역할을 다해 보탬이 될 수 있도록 최선을 다하겠다
according to JoongAng Ilbo.