Right-hander Mike Clevinger reported to Chicago White Sox spring training on Wednesday despite an investigation into allegations of domestic violence and child abuse made against him.
The MLB investigation is ongoing, and Clevinger was not placed on administrative leave, meaning he is part of Chicago’s 40-man roster.
Clevinger said he is confident that he will be vindicated.
“I trust the process with MLB. I really do,” Clevinger told reporters in Phoenix. “I think there’s a reason why I’m sitting here today.”
The White Sox signed Clevinger to a free agent deal in December. However, last month, The Athletic reported the league already was in the midst of investigating allegations made against him last summer when he was a member of the San Diego Padres.
The investigation concerns claims made by the mother of Clevinger’s young daughter, per the report.
The woman told The Athletic that she has provided details of several alleged incidents to MLB investigators, including Clevinger choking her and slapping her and throwing used chewing tobacco on their child.
Clevinger, 32, didn’t discuss details Wednesday but insisted there is more to the story.
“I’m just asking everybody to wait before they rush to judgment,” Clevinger said. “Wait until the actual facts are out there. Wait until the actual evidence and then make a decision on who you think I am.”
Clevinger’s deal is for one year and $12 million. He will receive $8 million in 2023 with a mutual $12 million option for 2024 that includes a $4 million buyout.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said the club’s hands are tied while it waits for a decision.
“Under the terms of the collective bargaining policy, it is solely the discretion of the commissioner to discipline a player under investigation, after the conclusion of an investigation,” Hahn told reporters.
“At this point, the White Sox’s options are the same as they have been throughout this process since Mike joined us and that is to respect the process and the investigation and let it play out. That is the club’s only option.”
First-year Chicago manager Pedro Grifol said the club is counting on Clevinger to be a big part of the 2023 starting rotation.
“He’s available right now, and if by any chance he’s not available, we’ll discuss that as an organization and address it then,” Grifol said. “But right now he’s a part of this rotation and we’re moving forward with it.”
Clevinger addressed the team after arriving in camp.
“I just wanted to share my sentiments to them about how bad I felt that this is how I was starting out,” Clevinger said. “This is how they are meeting me. For a lot of these guys, they don’t know me. I didn’t want their day first day of camp to be answering questions about this nonsense.”
Clevinger went 7-7 with a 4.33 ERA in 23 appearances (22 starts) for the Padres last season. He made two postseason starts and went 0-1 with a 23.63 ERA, and failed to record a single out in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The former fourth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 spent his first 4 1/2 seasons in Cleveland before his young career hit a snag. He was moved to the Padres at the 2020 trade deadline after he had been suspended for violating team COVID-19 protocol.
Clevinger then pitched just four games with the Padres in 2020 before he needed Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the entire 2021 campaign.
In 128 career appearances (114 starts), Clevinger has gone 51-30 with a 3.39 ERA and 694 strikeouts over 656 2/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
