San Diego Padres right-hander Mike Clevinger was lifted from Game 1 of the National League Division Series after throwing two pitches in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.
Padres starter Mike Clevinger leaves today's game early. He walked off the mound with a trainer after his velocity dropped in the 2nd inning. pic.twitter.com/x7Ix3q1N1E
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 7, 2020
Clevinger was making his first start since Sept. 23 after being diagnosed with a right elbow posterior impingement.
The 29-year-old felt pain while throwing a curveball during that start, and he didn't throw a curveball in the 22-pitch first inning against the Dodgers, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. After Clevinger's second pitch of the second frame went 77 mph, trainers were summoned to the mound and he was removed.
The right-hander pitched a scoreless first inning, allowing two walks and striking out one batter. Right-hander Pierce Johnson replaced Clevinger mid at-bat against Cody Bellinger.
Clevinger was acquired in a nine-player blockbuster with the Cleveland Indians prior to the trade deadline. He authored a 2.84 ERA and 2.35 FIP over four starts for the Padres down the stretch.
San Diego went on to lose Game 1 against the Dodgers 5-1, and trail 1-0 in the best-of-five NLDS.
