White Sox designate Mike Clevinger for assignment, set to call up Edgar Quero (2025)

The White Sox designated starter-turned-reliever Mike Clevinger for assignment and selected the contract of right-hander Steven Wilson on Wednesday.

Clevinger, who struggled to adjust to the relief role, had a 7.94 ERA and three strikeouts in eight outings out of the bullpen.

He entered spring training on a one-year minor-league contract with ambitions to be the closer.

It was Clevinger’s third deal with the Sox after signing a one-year, $12 million contract in December 2022 and a one-year, $4 million contract last season.

Despite having mid-90s velocity, Clevinger couldn’t consistently throw strikes. He had eight walks in 5⅔ innings. In the Sox’ loss to the Guardians on April 8, Clevinger allowed a single to Carlos Santana in the ninth inning before walking three consecutive batters to force in the winning run in a 1-0 loss.

The Sox envisioned a relief role helping Clevinger avoid injury, and they wanted to add some juice to the bullpen with his velocity. As he struggled, the other relievers improved around him, stabilizing after a shaky start to the season.

The Sox no longer viewed Clevinger as a late-inning, high-leverage guy, believing Wilson to be a better fit for the role.

“We were really open the whole time to just matching up and figuring out how it was going to look,” manager Will Venable said. “And as guys have gotten more comfortable, I think it was just clear that we weren’t maybe utilizing him the way that we had intended or thought we could have earlier. Just more about other guys developing and shifting in other roles.”

Wilson returns

The Sox called up Wilson from Triple-A Charlotte. He has rebounded after a poor 2024 in which he had a career-high 5.71 ERA in 34⅔ innings. Wilson had a 3.48 ERA in two seasons with the Padres.

After not making the Sox out of spring training, he has impressed team officials in Charlotte. Wilson had a 1.69 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 5⅓ innings.

He spent the offseason getting back in tune with his mechanics, which allowed him to reclaim his fastball command and get his slider back where he wanted it.

“Part of it was going back to some of the old stuff that I’ve been doing that got me to the big leagues,” Wilson said.

“I was searching for some other things. We were tinkering with the slider in San -Diego and my arm slot. We were up and down, and finally I just went back to what got me to the big leagues, and it’s been feeling good this year.”

Quero’s coming

Venable said top catching prospect Edgar Quero will be called up and start Thursday.

“He’s always energetic, never really down on himself,” said infielder Brooks Baldwin, who played with Quero last season at Charlotte. “He’s always in the game. He’s just a guy you want beside you when you’re playing.”

The Sox acquired Quero in a July 2023 trade with the Angels along with left-hander Ky Bush for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. Quero left Cuba in 2019 and signed with the Angels in 2021. He has been a proficient hitter at every stop in the minors.

“Quality at-bats from both sides of the plate, just a lot of confidence,” Venable said. “Just feel like he’s a guy who believes that he’s ready and looks like he’s ready.”

Injury update

Left fielder Andrew Benintendi is close to returning after going on the 10-day injured list April 9 (retroactive to April 7) with a strained left adductor.

Benintendi didn’t expect to be on the IL long, and Venable said that he wouldn’t go on a rehab assignment.

“He’s going to be ready to go here,” Venable said. “I think he’s just days away.”

Benintendi will provide a boost to the lineup. He was batting .290/.333/.484 with an .817 OPS.