LAKE ELSINORE — San Diego Padres RHP, Mike Clevinger, had been working his way back from Tommy John surgery and was primed to open the season in the San Diego Padres rotation, but a knee flare-up put him on the shelf.

Clevinger took his first steps toward returning from his right knee sprain, throwing two scoreless innings in his first rehab start with the low Single-A Lake Elsinore Storm Thursday, April 14. He allowed one hit, a leadoff double, before striking out two in the first inning and all three batters in the second. Clevinger threw 24 of his 31 pitches for strikes as the Storm went on to win 14 to 3. 

Padres RHP, Mike Clevinger, allowed one hit, before striking out two in the first inning and all three batters in the second. Valley News/Action Captures Media Group

Keep a watchful eye on this rehab which will likely require a few more minor league outings before he gets the greenlight to go back to Petco Park. Clevinger has phenomenal stuff and will have shaken off the rest of the rust from being idle for so long. The Padres brought in former Cleveland assistant pitching coach Ruben Niebla to help with Clevinger’s return and MLB insiders expect the results to be huge.

Lake Elsinore continue their six-game opening home stand against Visalia throughout the weekend. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday night, 5:05 p.m. on Saturday and 4:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Visit www.stormbaseball.com for more info, or call (951) 234-HITS (4487).

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.

 

JP Raineri
JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist, and head of the Sports Department for the Valley News. Over his time in the Temecula Valley, JP, a former Southwestern League head baseball coach, was also an on-air radio personality at Q103.3, KATY 101.3, Hot 103.9, and was a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When not covering local, or national sports, JP also serves as an Associate Baseball Scout with NSR.