Padres' starter Mike Clevinger is set to start his comeback 2022 season on the IL as he deals with right knee soreness.Manager Bob Melvin told reporters on Sunday that Clevinger's return from November 2020 Tommy John surgery will be “slowed down,” as he will pitch for the first time since October 6. Melvin had earlier this spring raved about how good Clevinger looked in spring training.All signs pointed to the 31-year-old being ready for Opening Day, but the Padres' slow-and-steady approach to Clevinger's comeback is the right decision according to the ProBaseballDocs.While his right elbow should be fully healed and ready to go, as we detailed earlier this week, pitching involves a lot of leg strength, and there is no reason to return if he is less than 100% and risk further damage to the twice-surgically repaired right elbow.The hope is certainly that he will pitch sometime in April, but the extent of his absence will be dependent on the source of the soreness. If it is minor, he should be able to return soon, but the Padres have enough pitching depth to survive a longer absence, with a rotation of Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell, Chris Paddack, Dinelson Lamet, Mackenzie Gore, and the just-acquired Sean Manaea. All things considered, Clevinger's issue should be short-lived, and enters the 2022 season with an SIC Health Score of 84.