Mike Clevinger won’t face discipline from MLB, which closed its investigation of allegations vs. the Chicago White Sox pitcher
Mike Clevinger and the Chicago White Sox received notice from Major League Baseball on Sunday that it won’t impose discipline on the starting pitcher in connection with allegations of domestic violence and child abuse.
“I am pleased that Major League Baseball has concluded its investigation,” Clevinger said in a statement released through the Major League Baseball Players Association. “I had nothing to hide and cooperated fully with MLB. This situation has been stressful for my family and I thank them for their strength and support.
“I asked everyone not to rush to judgment until MLB’s investigation was concluded, and I appreciate everyone who had faith in me, including the White Sox organization and my teammates. I am looking forward to the 2023 season and helping the White Sox win a championship this season.”
Clevinger’s status had been a major question after the allegations and investigation became public in a late January article by The Athletic.
Olivia Finestead, the mother of Clevinger’s infant daughter, told The Athletic she informed MLB’s Department of Investigations of “incidents of physical, verbal and emotional abuse.”
Clevinger was with the San Diego Padres at the time of the alleged incidents. He signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Sox in December.
MLB said its investigation included “interviews of more than 15 individuals, in addition to Mr. Clevinger and the complainant, as well as a review of available documents, such as thousands of electronic communication records.”
The commissioner’s office “has closed this investigation,” MLB said in its statement, and “barring the receipt of any new information or evidence” will not be imposing discipline on Clevinger.
The White Sox said in a statement they “respect that the joint policies of MLB and the MLBPA govern this matter. We accept the conclusion of the thorough, months-long investigation conducted by the Commissioner’s Office with respect to Mike Clevinger. Per the terms of the joint policy, the White Sox will not comment further on this matter.”
Clevinger met with reporters when camp opened Feb. 15, calling the investigation “the elephant in the room.” Asked that day if he was confident he would be exonerated, Clevinger said: “I’m confident. I am.”
MLB said Clevinger “has voluntarily agreed to submit to evaluations by the joint treatment boards under the collectively bargained policies and to comply with any of the boards’ recommendations. MLB will continue to make support services available to Mr. Clevinger, his family and other individuals involved in the investigation.”
Under the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy that MLB and the players union adopted, the commissioner’s office “will retain authority to discipline players under this policy until it provides the players association and the player with notice that it is transferring such authority to the club.”
If MLB doesn’t transfer that authority — as is the case with Clevinger — “no club may take any disciplinary or adverse action against a player arising from an incident involving a covered act.”
Sunday’s announcement came as the Sox were playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in a Cactus League game at Camelback Ranch.
Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito, who met with reporters after starting that game, said of the news: “That’s kind of what we were waiting for — MLB, MLBPA, the joint committee to do their investigation and come to a conclusion. They came to a conclusion. Now we go from there.”
Clevinger pitched in a B game against the Dodgers on Sunday morning at Camelback Ranch, his first outing this spring against another team. The appearance came before the MLB announcement Sunday afternoon.
