Former Guardians, White Sox 3.55 ERA starting pitcher signs KBO contract

A nine-year Major League Baseball veteran starting pitcher is headed to South Korea. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates recently released the right-hander. 

According to Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net, Mike Clevinger has signed a temporary injury-replacement contract with the Korea Baseball Organization's NC Dinos. 

"NC announced that they have signed pitcher Mike Clevinger for $75K as an injury replacement for Curtis Taylor for 6 weeks," Kurtz wrote on X. "He's expected to land in Korea on the evening of the 13th and join the team on the 15th." 

NC Dinos sign Mike Clevinger

Clevinger posted a 4.74 ERA in 24.2 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis before his release. He last pitched in the Majors with the Chicago White Sox in 2025. 

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During his prime, the 35-year-old was a frontline starter for multiple Cleveland Guardians teams from 2017-20. 

He averaged 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 2019, but aging and Tommy John Surgery in 2020 have decreased his swing-and-miss ability. 

Clevinger's tenure with the Dinos will be his first outside of affiliated ball in the United States. 

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