White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger is being investigated by Major League Baseball for allegations of domestic violence involving the mother of his 10-month-old daughter as well as child abuse.
The Sox, who signed Clevinger to a one-year contract in December, acknowledged the investigation into allegations from Olivia Finestead, 24, who provided MLB with details of incidents involving physical, verbal and emotional abuse and detailed claims against Clevinger on Instagram Tuesday. Finestead has been in contact with MLB since last summer.
Finestead said Clevinger choked her and later slapped her in a hotel room. She said Clevinger threw used chewing tobacco on their child.
Clevinger, 32, who pitched for the Padres last summer, was signed by the Sox as a free agent in November.
“Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox take any and all allegations very seriously, and the White Sox are completely supportive of the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy shared by MLB and the MLBPA,” the White Sox said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “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 comment until MLB’s investigative process has reached its conclusion.”
It’s not the best look for an organization that hired Tony La Russa to manage the team in October, 2020, a day after he was charged with a second DUI. The Sox said they were aware of the charges when they made the hire.
MLB has authority under the joint policy to issue discipline regardless whether a player faces charges or conviction. The investigation began last summer.
The Sox do not have a sense of timing as to when the investigation will be concluded. A social media post from Finestead Tuesday said Clevinger “threw an iPad at me pregnant” and that “he strangled me.” Finestead posted photos of her alleged injuries.
While the Sox are being questioned about doing due diligence on Clevinger before signing him to a free-agent contract, they maintain knowledge of such investigations, which are confidential, are not shared by MLB until findings are announced. The organization doesn’t have a sense for when that will occur.
In 2020, the Cleveland Indians put Clevinger and teammate Zach Plesac on the restricted list after they broke team rules and Major League Baseball protocols by leaving their hotel in Chicago and risking exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
Clevinger posted a 4.33 ERA in 114⅓ innings last season and is being counted on to round out a starting rotation of Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech.
