Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger is under investigation by Major League Baseball following allegations of domestic violence involving the mother of his 10-month-old daughter and child abuse.
Olivia Finestead, the 24-year-old mother of Clevinger’s child, said Athleticism Tuesday that she has been in contact with people in the MLB Investigations Department since this summer. According to Finestead, she detailed incidents of physical, verbal and emotional abuse to these investigators, including an incident last June in which Finestead said Clevinger suffocated her, and another about two weeks later when she said Clevinger slapped her in a hotel room while the team was playing the Dodgers and threw used chewing tobacco at their child.
A source familiar with MLB’s investigative process confirmed there was an open investigation into Clevinger. The source added that the White Sox became aware of the allegations after he was signed.
Clevinger, 33, reached by text message, said his agent and lawyer would contact Athleticism. Asked for an official statement ahead of release, Clevinger’s agent Seth Levinson wrote in a text message, “We must fairly and completely protect our client and at the same time be respectful of the White Sox and MLB. We need time before responding.
Finestead, who agreed to be named in this story, first publicly disclosed the allegations in an Instagram story early Tuesday.
“I hope @MLB does what it should and puts him in the required therapy, maybe even a little suspension (sic) so he can take the time to really think about why he’s abusing of his children and their mothers,” the post said.
Clevinger was a member of the San Diego Padres’ pitching team at the time of the alleged incidents last summer. He became a free agent when his contract expired this winter and signed a one-year contract with the White Sox.
The White Sox said they were unaware of these allegations when they signed Clevinger.
“Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox take all allegations very seriously, and the White Sox fully support the joint policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse shared by MLB and MLBPA,” the team said in a statement. issued Athleticism. “MLB has launched an investigation after learning of these allegations. The White Sox were unaware of the allegations or the investigation at the time of his signing. The White Sox will refrain from commenting until the MLB investigation process is complete.
The Padres said in a statement that they are “aware of MLB’s investigation and fully support their efforts under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Due to the ongoing investigation process, we cannot comment further at this time.
This is a developing story. Will be updated.
(Picture: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)