Health factors into Clevinger's uptick in velocity
Mike Clevinger found himself hitting 95 mph on the radar gun pretty consistently here today. That's about two miles per hour faster than what he averaged with his fastball last year, an uptick in velocity that Clevinger claims is a result of one thing in particular.
"I think it has a lot to do with health," said Clevinger, who allowed just one hit, walked two and struck out three in the Pirates' 4-1 victory over the Rays at LECOM Park. "There were a lot of years where I was battling health. If you look back to 2018, 2019, the velo is probably the same that it is now, but I was healthy."
Clevinger has endured plenty of injury issues over the past several years, including an elbow injury that led to a second Tommy John surgery in 2020, a torn MCL he pitched through in 2021 and a neck issue that led to a cervical spine procedure in 2024. He's been limited to 12 major-league appearances over the last two years, but he does have an impressive resumé of success. He was obviously productive in his prime with Cleveland and even recently had a year with the White Sox in which he produced a 3.77 ERA over 24 starts in 2023.
"I feel like it's been years I've been fighting myself," Clevinger said. "I think I had four offseasons in a row that ended in a surgery, or at least a surgery in the offseason or surgery in the middle of the season that ended my season. It's just good to have a full offseason of training and not have to — that's not the main factor I have to worry about. Now I can just worry about the opponent and the scouting reports."
Clevinger spent part of his offseason working with BriceCrider at Driveline in an attempt to specifically get his spine in the right spot. He said his spine mobility was lacking in the past and he wanted to find a way to move more athletically again. Now, he's feeling like he's in a good spot, as he competes for an opportunity on the Pirates' opening day roster.
"This is a great clubhouse with a great team," Clevinger said. "Looking at this team, we could do something special. So whatever it is to help this team win, whether its long relief, starting, back and forth, trying to get to October is the main goal."
THE ASYLUM
Health factors into Clevinger's uptick in velocity
Mike Clevinger found himself hitting 95 mph on the radar gun pretty consistently here today. That's about two miles per hour faster than what he averaged with his fastball last year, an uptick in velocity that Clevinger claims is a result of one thing in particular.
"I think it has a lot to do with health," said Clevinger, who allowed just one hit, walked two and struck out three in the Pirates' 4-1 victory over the Rays at LECOM Park. "There were a lot of years where I was battling health. If you look back to 2018, 2019, the velo is probably the same that it is now, but I was healthy."
Clevinger has endured plenty of injury issues over the past several years, including an elbow injury that led to a second Tommy John surgery in 2020, a torn MCL he pitched through in 2021 and a neck issue that led to a cervical spine procedure in 2024. He's been limited to 12 major-league appearances over the last two years, but he does have an impressive resumé of success. He was obviously productive in his prime with Cleveland and even recently had a year with the White Sox in which he produced a 3.77 ERA over 24 starts in 2023.
"I feel like it's been years I've been fighting myself," Clevinger said. "I think I had four offseasons in a row that ended in a surgery, or at least a surgery in the offseason or surgery in the middle of the season that ended my season. It's just good to have a full offseason of training and not have to — that's not the main factor I have to worry about. Now I can just worry about the opponent and the scouting reports."
Clevinger spent part of his offseason working with Brice Crider at Driveline in an attempt to specifically get his spine in the right spot. He said his spine mobility was lacking in the past and he wanted to find a way to move more athletically again. Now, he's feeling like he's in a good spot, as he competes for an opportunity on the Pirates' opening day roster.
"This is a great clubhouse with a great team," Clevinger said. "Looking at this team, we could do something special. So whatever it is to help this team win, whether its long relief, starting, back and forth, trying to get to October is the main goal."
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