Chicago White Sox Veteran Mike Clevinger Leading Competition For Closer Job

Manager Will Venable told reporters Friday that Mike Clevinger is "near the top of the list" of candidates who could emerge as the Chicago White Sox's closer in 2025.

Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (52) throws against the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning at Comerica Park. | David Reginek-Imagn Images

Mike Clevinger was already expected to take on a new role with the Chicago White Sox in 2025, but now it seems like the veteran could be positioned as one of their most important pitchers this season.

Manager Will Venable said Friday that, while multiple players could be used in the ninth inning early in the year, Clevinger is towards the top of his list, per 670 The Score's Bruce Levine. Clevinger has made just 14 relief appearances in his MLB career, compared to his 142 starts, and none of them have come in a save situation.

The White Sox inked Clevinger to a minor league deal shortly after spring training began. Venable mentioned that he aimed to use Clevinger as a reliever a few days later, although it was unclear just how high-leverage of a role he was going to take on.

Clevinger missed most of last season recovering from disc replacement surgery. He was 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA, 1.938 WHIP and -0.1 WAR in four starts prior to going down, a year after he went 9-9 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.226 WHIP and 3.3 WAR in 24 starts.

Through two appearances in the Cactus League this spring, Clevinger has retired all six batters he has faced, sitting three of them down via strikeouts.

Justin Anderson, Fraser Ellard, Justin Anderson and Jordan Leasure are the other contenders who could see time in the ninth inning when Clevinger isn't filling that role.

Related Chicago White Sox Stories

• WHITE SOX SPRING SCHEDULE: Track all of Chicago's spring training games in real time, from final scores to winning and losing pitchers. CLICK HERE

• AMAYA BANGED UP: In the midst of his battle for the White Sox's starting shortstop job, Jacob Amaya has been sidelined with left hip tightness. CLICK HERE

• WHITE SOX ADDING NEW THREADS: Chicago is set to introduce a new line of City Connect uniforms in 2025, but they could still hang onto their Southside jerseys. CLICK HERE

Follow Chicago White Sox On SI on social media

Follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.