As Trade Deadline Looms, White Sox Bolster Taxi Squad, Announce Mike Clevinger's Season-Ending Surgery

Amid a busy trade deadline, the Chicago White Sox have multiple players mentioned in trade rumors. They've yet to consummate a deal but appear to be on the verge of doing so. On Saturday, the Sox added reliever Fraser Ellard and starting pitcher Davis Martin to their taxi squad and later recalled Martin to the roster. The moves signal that Chicago is expecting a trade to occur shortly.

Martin's return from Tommy John surgery is a welcome sight. Before the surgery, the righty pitched respectably in 2022 for the White Sox as a reliever and starter. The news of his return from injury was met with a report about another pitcher's season-ending injury. Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger will undergo disc replacement surgery on Aug. 1 and miss the remainder of the 2024 season.

The White Sox re-signed Clevinger, who pitched well for the team in 2023, off the scrap heap shortly after the start of the season. Chicago inked him to a one-year, $3 million deal after the righty declined the mutual option on his previous contract.

Searching For a Fifth

The Jacksonville native missed all of Spring Training and worked up to the majors, starting in the Arizona Complex League. After two starts with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he debuted with the Pale Hose. He pitched to a 6.75 ERA in four starts with the White Sox in May before landing on the injured list.

The White Sox entered the season without a fifth starter. They didn't require one until mid-April due to an off-day, a rainout, and a bullpen game. Nick Nastrini made his MLB debut as a starter but faltered in that role before being sent down. Jonathan Cannon filled the same role before being sent down but eventually returned to Chicago. The Pale Hose tried Brad Keller for two starts before designating him for assignment.

Here and Gone Again

Mike Clevinger finally arrived in the big leagues but performed just as poorly as the rest of the group. He landed on the injured list with a right elbow inflammation on May 25. Due to neck stiffness, he went nearly two weeks between rehab starts. He returned and made three rehab starts before being shut down again for the same issue. As announced Saturday, the cause of his neck issue will be addressed via disc replacement surgery.

A timeline for Clevinger's return is uncertain at this time. Jesse Winker, an outfielder for the Washington Nationals, had a similar procedure at the end of the 2022 season and returned in time for Spring Training. Clevinger could be ready for Spring Training if he follows the same path.

What's On Tap Next?

Mike Clevinger's injury leaves the White Sox without a veteran option to fill the void of the expected trade of Erick Fedde . Chicago has multiple pitchers enjoying good seasons in the minor leagues, but their call-ups could be premature.

The Sox could explore bullpen games or turn to internal options such as Michael Soroka or Jared Shuster, who have pitched in long relief.

In any case, the White Sox are in an excellent organizational position. They have young, talented pitching in the minor league, and a few prospects who could fill out their 2025 rotation are knocking on the door. Clevinger's return to Chicago for a third season is possible but seems unlikely given the Sox' internal pitching options.

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