Report: MLB investigating Clevinger for domestic violence
Major League Baseball is investigating Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger for alleged domestic violence and child abuse involving his 10-month-old daughter and her mother, according to Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang of The Athletic.
The child's mother, Olivia Finestead, has been in contact with MLB since the summer, she told The Athletic, and has detailed incidents of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse to league investigators. Finestead said Clevinger choked her last June and, two weeks later, slapped her in a hotel room during a team road trip and threw chewing tobacco at their child.
The alleged incidents occurred last season, while Clevinger was a member of the San Diego Padres.
Clevinger, 33, signed a one-year, $12-million contract with the White Sox earlier this winter that includes a mutual option for 2024. The White Sox released a statement Tuesday saying they didn't know about the allegations or investigation before signing him. A source told The Athletic that the White Sox found out about the allegations after signing Clevinger.
"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 team said in a statement 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 comment until MLB’s investigative process has reached its conclusion."
Clevinger's attorney, Jay Reisinger, issued a statement Wednesday, via Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune: "Mike emphatically denies the accusations made by Ms. Finestead. He has never harmed Ms. Finestead or his daughter. We will not comment on Ms. Finestead's motive for bringing these false allegations.
"Her baseless threats and accusations over the last few months have regrettably escalated, culminating most recently in deeply disturbing threats toward Mike and Mike's family. Her threats and her pattern of abusive behavior are well documented. The simple truth is that Mike has done nothing wrong. He is a loving and caring father. We have advised Mike not to comment on this matter."