BALTIMORE — A strong case can be made that Mike Clevinger has been the White Sox’ best starting pitcher this season.
On Tuesday, the Sox placed the 32-year-old right-hander on waivers.
As teams out of contention looked to save a month’s worth of salary, Clevinger joined a list of players including former Sox Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez who could help a contender down the stretch.
Clevinger was signed to a one-year, $12 million contract in the offseason that pays him $8 million with a $4 million buyout on a $12 million mutual option for next season. Any team that claims him would have to pay Clevinger about $1.4 million for the rest of the season.
It could be money well spent. In 18 starts covering 97 2⁄3 innings, Clevinger has posted 3.32 ERA, better than any Sox starter. Healthy again after missing six weeks with biceps inflammation, Clevinger pitched seven innings of one-run, one-hit ball with 10 strikeouts in his last start against the Athletics Sunday in Chicago, and owns a 2.16 ERA over his last four and 2.31 over his last six.
He said after Sunday’s start that he’d be open to returning next season, and for a team with big questions about its rotation, some have suggested the Sox try to bring him back. Signed as a fifth starter in the offseason before it became known that he was accused of domestic violence and child abuse. The Sox were heavily criticized for a signing that dominated the first storylines of spring training, but Major League Baseball’s investigation found no clear evidence of wrongdoing.
Teams have 47 hours from the time Clevinger went on waivers to claim him. If unclaimed, he could be released, affording a chance to go to a contender after the waiver period expires. Players must be claimed before Aug. 31 to be eligible for the postseason.