GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox can now be sure: They will have their fifth starter for the start of the 2023 season.
That became clear Sunday after Major League Baseball announced it will not impose disciplinary action against Mike Clevinger after completing its investigation into allegations of domestic and child abuse against the right-hander.
The commissioner’s office made the announcement during the Sox’ Cactus League game against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch, not long after Clevinger pitched in a B game against mostly Dodgers minor leaguers on the backfields.
MLB said league officials interviewed more than 15 people and reviewed documents and thousands of electronic records.
“The Office of the Commissioner has closed this investigation and, barring the receipt of any new information or evidence, will not be imposing discipline on Mr. Clevinger in connection with these allegations,” MLB said.
Clevinger has voluntarily agreed to submit to evaluations by the joint treatment boards under the collectively bargained policies and to comply with any of the board’s recommendations.
“MLB will continue to make support services available to Mr. Clevinger, his family, and other individuals involved in the investigation,” MLB said.
The Sox signed Clevinger, 32, to a one-year, $12 million contract during the offseason to fill out their starting rotation, saying they were unaware of allegations brought by the mother of his infant child and the investigation which began last summer. Olivia Finestead, 24, posted a photo on Instagram showing marks on her body, saying the alleged injuries were from an iPad Clevinger threw at her when she was pregnant. Finestead also alleged Clevinger, who was with the Padres at the time, strangled her and threw chewing tobacco at her infant daughter.
“I am pleased that Major League Baseball has concluded its investigation,” Clevinger said in a statement issued by the MLB Players Association. “I had nothing to hide and cooperated fully with MLB. This situation has been stressful for my family, and I thank them for their strength and support. I asked everyone not to rush to judgment until MLB’s investigation was concluded, and I appreciate everyone who had faith in me, including the White Sox organization and my teammates. I am looking forward to the 2023 season and helping the White Sox win a championship this year.”
The White Sox also issued a statement:
“The Chicago White Sox respect that the joint policies of MLB and the MLBPA govern this matter. We accept the conclusion of the thorough, months-long investigation conducted by the Commissioner’s Office with respect to Mike Clevinger. Per the terms of the joint policy, the White Sox will not comment further on this matter.”
Clevinger, who pitched in a B game at Camelback Ranch Sunday morning and is slated for his first start in a Cactus League in five or six days.
“It’s good news for our club because he’ll be in our rotation and he’ll be able to help us win games,” Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito said.
That said, Giolito later told the Sun-Times, “I never, ever intend on downplaying the severity of domestic violence or domestic abuse situations. I obviously answered the question [about the Clevinger decision] strictly from a baseball clubhouse competition point of view and it was insensitive the way I answered that.”
On a strenuous first day of camp for Sox general manager Rick Hahn, who had to answer questions about the investigation and the organization’s due diligence for doing background checks on Clevinger before signing him, Clevinger said he would be “exonerated.” The Sox have prepared during spring training with the expectation Clevinger would break camp for Opening Day March 30.
Players praised Clevinger for addressing the team then, apologizing for the case being a distraction.
And now they move on.
“They came to a conclusion, now we go from there,” Giolito said.
