CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Clevinger’s wait will last another day.
The right-hander’s first start for San Diego since undergoing elbow surgery in 2020 was postponed Tuesday as a rainy forecast pushed back the Padres’ scheduled game against the Cleveland Guardians.
“I just want to get this under my belt,” Clevinger said in San Diego’s clubhouse shortly after the game was called despite partly sunny skies above Progressive Field. Clevinger did get in some long toss and flat-ground pitches in the outfield grass.
The rainout — and Clevinger’s return — will be made up Wednesday as part of a traditional doubleheader starting at 1:10 p.m.
Zach Plesac will start for the Guardians against his former teammate and close friend.
Padres left-hander MacKenzie Gore will pitch the second game against Cleveland’s Cal Quantrill.
The 31-year-old Clevinger missed last season after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, and he’ll make his comeback against the Guardians, who traded him to the Padres at the deadline in 2020.
Clevinger went 42-22 with a 3.19 ERA in five seasons for Cleveland, developing into one of the AL’s most reliable starters.
Clevinger and Plesac became inextricably linked in 2020, when they were disciplined by Cleveland for breaking COVID-19 protocols during a road trip in Chicago. The team placed the pair on the MLB restricted list.
Despite that incident, Cleveland manager Terry Francona spoke fondly of Clevinger.
“We say it all the time, they may change uniforms, but unless you’re playing them — which we will be tomorrow — we love the kid,” Francona said. “Because he gets traded doesn’t change who he is or what he meant to us, or what he means to us still.
“He’s a great kid. Hard worker, free spirit, but fun to be…
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