Major League Baseball is investigating Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger following allegations of domestic violence and child abuse by the mother of his 10-month-old daughter.
The woman, Olivia Finestead, 24, publicly revealed the allegations on Instagram on Tuesday. According to her Finestead, she has detailed to those investigators incidents of physical, verbal and emotional abuse. This includes an incident last June in which Finestead said Clevinger choked her, and another about two weeks later when she said Clevinger slapped her in a hotel room when the team was playing the Dodgers and threw used chewing tobacco at her. son.
A source familiar with MLB’s investigative process confirmed that there is an open investigation into Clevinger. The source added that the White Sox found out about the allegations after he signed.
Clevinger was with the San Diego Padres at the time of the alleged incident last June. The White Sox signed the right-hander to a one-year deal worth $12 million earlier this offseason.
Chicago issued the following statement, via The Athletic:
“Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox take any and all allegations very seriously, and the White Sox fully support the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy shared by MLB and the MLBPA,” the team said. it’s a statement. delivered to The Athletic. “MLB opened an investigation after learning of these allegations. The White Sox were not aware of the allegations or the investigation at the time of his signing. The White Sox will refrain from commenting until MLB’s investigative process reaches its conclusion.”
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The league’s collectively bargained domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy empowers commissioner Rob Manfred to discipline players regardless of criminal charges. A total of 17 players have been suspended under the policy. It went into effect in 2015. Notably, Trevor Bauer was banned for 324 games in 2022, though it was later reduced to 194 games.
MLB may place Clevinger on administrative leave if the investigation continues when spring training begins next month. The 32-year-old posted a 4.33 ERA in 114 1/3 innings with San Diego in 2022, his first season after the second Tommy John surgery of his career.
The Chicago White Sox have +165 to win the AL Central according to Illinois sportsbooks. Losing Clevinger to a possible suspension could hurt his chances of competing this season.
