Dodgers NLDS: Padres Ace Mike Clevinger Says He’s Not Done with Series Yet
Usually, when you see a pitcher walk off the mound with the manager and the training staff you don’t expect to see him again anytime soon. Let alone within the next four games. Still, after leaving his game 1 start against the Dodgers on Tuesday, injured Padres right-hander Mike Clevinger isn’t ready to call it a season yet.
After LA’s 5-1 win over San Diego, Clevinger talked about what happened on the mound that lead to his exit.
Clevinger said the discomfort feels like "bones hitting in the back of my elbow."
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 7, 2020
The Padre ace threw 22 pitches in the first inning before sitting for about 15 minutes. After Dodgers starter Walker Buehler escaped a threat in the top of the 2nd, Clevinger returned to the mound and immediately did not look right. It turns out that early in the first inning he hit his elbow with his knee on a pitch to Corey Seager and things went downhill from there.
All told, his return to action — he’d been out since September 23 with an elbow strain — lasted only 24 pitches. Still, apparently, bones hitting the back of his elbow isn’t enough to stop him. However, manager Jayce Tingler is singing a little bit of a different tune.
From Padres manager Jayce Tingler:
Mike Clevinger is "getting evaluated" and says he is day to day for now.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 7, 2020
Surprisingly, that tune isn’t “we’re shutting him down.” Much to his credit, Sunshine did all he could in-game to stay loose, including working with the training staff on some treatment.
"I'm not giving up. I don't think anybody in the training staff is giving up either." – @MikeClevinger @Padres | #FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/X9TzTbd6mt
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) October 7, 2020
Still, it proved to be a no-go. We’ll keep an eye on his status as the series progresses.
Up Next
After burning through the bullpen on Tuesday night, San Diego still hasn’t named a game 2 starter. Meanwhile, the Dodgers named theirs a few days ago. Once again, Clayton Kershaw will follow Walker Buehler for LA. First pitch is set for 6:08 PM PT on Fox Sports 1.
NEXT: Edwin Rios Left Off of NLDS Roster Due to Injury
Clevinger looked pretty done to me last night after an inning and two pitches, but maybe the Padres intend to use him in a limited capacity before the series concludes tomorrow, I hope.