by News broke that in January Mike Clevinger was investigated by the league over allegations of domestic violence and child abuse. Major League Baseball announced the results of that investigation today, and Clevinger will not face a suspension or other league disciplinary action.
MLB statement: “The comprehensive investigation included interviews with more than 15 people, in addition to Mr Clevinger and the complainant, and a review of available documents, such as thousands of electronic communications records. The Commissioner’s Office has closed this investigation and, pending receipt of new information or evidence, the Commissioner’s Office will not take any disciplinary action against Mr Clevinger in connection with these allegations.
As part of his path forward, Mr. Clevinger has voluntarily agreed to submit to evaluations by the joint treatment committees under the collectively negotiated guidelines and to comply with all of the committees’ recommendations. MLB will continue to provide support services to Mr. Clevinger, his family and others involved in the investigation.”
The league’s investigation has been ongoing since last summer, The Athletic’s Olivia Finestead (the mother of Clevinger’s 10-month-old) told Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang in this January story. The allegations included two incidents in which Clevinger was accused of choking Finestead and another when he hit her and threw used chewing tobacco at her child. Clevinger’s Lawyers “emphatically” denied the allegations and called the allegations “INCORRECT‘ and say that ‘The simple truth is that Mike did nothing wrong.”
Regarding the end of the league’s investigation today, Clevinger released his own statement on the MLB Players Association (Twitter link). “I had nothing to hide and I fully cooperated with MLB‘ Clevinger said. “This situation was difficult for my family and I thank them for their strength and support. I’ve asked everyone not to be too quick to judge until the MLB investigation is complete, and I appreciate everyone who believed in me, including the White Sox organization and my teammates. I’m looking forward to the 2023 season and to helping the White Sox win a championship this year.”
Under the joint MLB/MLBPA policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse established in August 2015, the league had the ability to pursue a wide range of disciplinary actions against Clevinger. In most cases, discipline takes the form of suspensions without pay, with previous suspensions ranging from 15 games to the record 324 games that have been imposed Trevor Bauer (with Bauer’s suspension later reduced to 194 games by a neutral referee).
The allegations against Clevinger came while he was a member of the Padres, and the right-hander then signed with the White Sox to a one-year deal worth $12 million in guaranteed money. (Clevinger is making $8 million in 2023, and there is a $4 million payout of a reciprocal option on his services for 2024.) According to a statement from the team, when news of the investigation broke, the Sox “were unaware of the allegations or the investigation at the time of the investigation [Clevinger’s] signing.” Clevinger was signed to essentially provide a replacement Johnny Cueto in Chicago’s rotation as Clevinger will be joining Dylan stops, Luke Giolito, Lance LynnAnd Michael Kopech in the starting eleven.
