Former Padres RHP Will Not Be Placed on Administrative Leave for Now
Last month, word came down that former Padres pitcher Mike Clevinger is being investigated by Major League Baseball after allegations of domestic violence. According to reports, there are multiple instances being investigated.
Instances of physical, emotional and verbal abuse have been reported to MLB’s Department of Investigations by Olivia Finestead, the mother of Clevinger’s 10-month-old daughter. The White Sox, who signed the 32-year-old pitcher in the offseason, were reportedly not aware of the allegations until after he was signed.
“We need to fairly and thoroughly protect our client and at the same time be respectful of the White Sox and MLB. We need time before responding,” Clevinger’s agent, Seth Levinson, said in an initial statement to The Athletic.
With spring training beginning this week, there were questions about whether Clevinger would be there. As of right now, it looks like he will be.
Clevinger spent parts of three seasons with the Padres. He came over from Cleveland in a 2020 trade, then missed all of 2021 after having Tommy John surgery. He returned last year but struggled, posting a 4.33 ERA in 23 games. He signed with Chicago in free agency this offseason.
Both the White Sox and the Padres commented after the allegations came out, but both teams' comments essentially amounted to "no comment."
“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, via 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.”
“We are aware of MLB’s investigation and completely support their efforts under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy,” the Padres said in a statement to ESPN. “Due to the ongoing investigative process, we cannot comment any further at this time.”
It's an ugly situation all around. While MLB is letting Clevinger participate in spring training, it's hard to see them letting him pitch in the regular season while the investigation is going on.
