San Diego Padres injury news: Mike Clevinger’s pitching path after COVID IL

MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 5: Mike Clevinger #52 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on June 5, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 5: Mike Clevinger #52 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on June 5, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

DENVER — Before the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies kicked off a three-game series at Coors Field on Friday, the Padres reinstated Mike Clevinger from the COVID injured list. Now the Padres will figure out exactly how to get him back into the rotation.

What is the pitching plan for San Diego Padres starter Mike Clevinger after being reinstated from the COVID IL?

Acting San Diego Padres manager Ryan Flaherty told the media assembled in the Padres dugout that the plan with Clevinger is now to likely have him work some innings out of the bullpen this weekend against the Rockies.

“He is going to get back in there and get his feet wet,” Flaherty said. “I think that could be a number of ways this weekend.”

To make room on the Padres roster for Clevinger, relief pitcher Kyle Tyler was sent to Triple-A El Paso and outfielder Matt Beaty was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Clevinger is not slated to start this weekend against the Rockies and has only made one start since May 17 while battling a right triceps strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list. He came back to start against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 5 and allowed just a solo home run in three innings of work. He has surrendered just a pair of hits across his last two appearances and 8.0 innings combined on the mound.

Flaherty answered “yeah” when asked about Clevinger getting innings first and then extending his workload back into a starter role.

“After this weekend, we’ll see where we are at,” Flaherty said.

So far this season in four starts, Clevinger has a 3.18 ERA in 17.0 innings pitched, striking out 20.

While Clevinger has been on the shelf, the Padres have taken over first place in the National League West heading into Friday’s game. San Diego is on a four-game winning streak and has captured 11 of their last 14 games.

San Diego’s 41-24 mark is the best through the first 65 games in franchise history.