Upon his arrival to spring training on Wednesday, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger publicly addressed the investigation into domestic abuse allegations against him for the first time.
Speaking with reporters, Clevinger denied any wrongdoing.
“It’s really embarrassing. It’s not who I am,” Clevinger told reporters via The Athletic’s James Fegan. “Now I’ve got to sit here on my first day and answer questions about it like I am one of those people. It is devastating but I’m here to answer to the bell and I’m excited to see when the facts come out.”
Olivia Finestead, the mother of Clevinger’s child, told The Athletic in January that she had spoken with the MLB’s Department of Investigations detailing Clevinger’s physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.
Finestead described several incidents from June 2022 alleging Clevinger slapped and choked her and tossed used chewing tobacco on their 10-month-old child.
Clevinger later denied the allegations through a statement released by his lawyer, maintaining that he had never “harmed Ms. Finestead or his daughter.”
In a statement, the White Sox said they were unaware of the allegations against Clevinger before agreeing to a free-agent contract with the pitcher in November, adding the team would refrain from comment until the conclusion of MLB’s investigation.
The White Sox are in a tough spot, but no one, aside from maybe the MLB Player’s Association, would have an issue if the team cut ties with Clevinger before he pitched a game for the club.
However, it’s important to note that there are no criminal charges against Clevinger, and the MLB’s investigation is still ongoing.
For the time being, Clevinger will be an active participant in White Sox’s spring training kicking off this week. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, while limited in what he could say, communicated that the team takes the situation extremely seriously.
“I understand that may not be satisfying right now,” Hahn said. “Right now it’s our only choice.”
Likely penciled in as the White Sox’s fifth-starter behind Michael Kopech, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, and Dylan Cease, Chicago would have to find a backup plan if the Clevinger were to face any discipline from the league.
The opportunity could fall to 26-year-old prospect Davis Martin. Martin made his Major League debut in 2022, going 3-6 with a 4.83 ERA in nine starts.
