CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It’s not time for a complete audit, but it seems like a quick inventory is in order.
The Guardians, at the time operating under the name Indians, on Aug. 31, 2020 traded right-hander Mike Clevinger and outfielder Greg Allen to San Diego for left-hander Joey Cantillo, infielder Gabriel Arias, catcher Austin Hedges, infielder Owen Miller, outfielder-first baseman Josh Naylor and right-hander Cal Quantrill.
Here’s what those players have done since the trade:
* Clevinger: Went 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA in four starts before developing right elbow problems in 2020. He made one start in the NLDS that year, but lasted one innining. Clevinger missed the 2021 season after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and knee surgery.
* Allen: Is working for his third team, Pittsburgh, since the trade. He played in one game for the Padres in 2020 and 15 games for the Yankees in 2021. He’s on the injured list with the Pirates because of a strained left hamstring.
* Hedges: He’s been Cleveland’s starting catcher for the last two years. Last year he filled in for the injured Roberto Perez. This year he was the starter from Day 1.
* Miller: He’s hitting .377 (20-for-53) and has established himself as a regular at first or second base this season after hitting .204 last year in 60 games.
* Quantrill: He moved into the 2021 rotation because of injuries and blossomed. Quantrill went 7-1 with a 1.94 ERA in 14 starts after the All-Star break. He came to spring training this year with a guaranteed spot in the rotation.
* Naylor: He’s returned from a broken right leg that ended his 2021 season on June 27 to become a regular at first base and right field. Naylor is hitting .313 (15-for-48) with two homers and eight RBI.
* Cantillo: The 6-4 lefty has struck out 42 in 28 innings over the last two seasons in the minors. He missed most of the 2021 season with an abdominal injury. He’s 1-2 with a 4.20 ERA at Class AA Akron this year.
* Arias: He hit .571 (8-for-14) in spring training and made his big-league debut on April 20 as the extra man in a doubleheader. The fast track to the big leagues turned bumpy Sunday when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken right hand at Class AAA Columbus. He’ll be sidelined for several weeks.
Clevinger was scheduled to make his first start of the season Tuesday against Cleveland, but the game was postponed by the approach of bad weather. The Guardians and Padres are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Wednesday starting at 1:10 p.m. at Progressive Field. Zach Plesac will face Clevinger in the first game and Quantrill will face lefty MacKenzie Gore in the second game.
When asked about facing Clevinger, the man who brought him to Cleveland, Naylor said, “It’s baseball. Some guys get to play their whole career with one team. Other guys bounce around.”
As for the talent executives Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff received for Clevinger, Naylor said, “We got a ton of talent -- Cal Quantrill, Austin Hedges, Owen Miller, Gabriel Arias. They’re really good players. It’s been awesome to see them develop their games.”
Clevinger made three rehab starts before getting the green light to make his return to the big leagues. He struck out 15 and allowed two runs in 8 2/3 innings.
“He’s bouncing off the walls. He can’t wait to pitch,” Padres manager Bob Melvin told reporters Tuesday before the game was postponed. “This is a big day for him. He’s put in a lot of hard work to do this. He’s a one-speed type of guy.
“If you watch his bullpens. If you watch anything he does, he goes after it as hard as he possibly can. I know he’s really excited about this one. I think the third rehab start we gave him will allow him to pitch a little deeper into the game than we were anticipating.”
Clevinger made his reputation in Cleveland. After being acquired from the Angels in August of 2014 for Vinnie Pestano, Clevinger went 42-22 with a 3.20 ERA and a 141 ERA+. He appeared in 105 games, including 92 starts.
“We say it all the time,” said manager Terry Francona. “They may change uniforms, but unless you’re playing them -- which we will be Wednesday -- we love the kid. Just again, because he gets traded doesn’t change who he is or what he meant to us, or what he means to us still.
“He’s a great kid. Hard worker, free spirit, but fun to be around.”
Returning from one Tommy John surgery is difficult. The odds grow longer trying to come back from two such procedures. The same can be said for what Naylor has accomplished after his devastating injury at Target Field last year. He has bounced between first base and right field with no problem or hesitation.
“I worked my butt off to get back,” said Naylor. “I just want to play.”
A sentiment Clevinger would certainly second.
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