Major League Baseball is investigating Chicago White Sox right-hander Mike Clevinger for allegations of domestic violence and child abuse, The Athletic reported Tuesday.
The investigation concerns claims made by the 24-year-old mother of Clevinger’s 10-month-old 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’s agent, Seth Levinson, responded to The Athletic’s request for a comment. “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 signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the White Sox in December. He will receive $8 million in 2023 with a mutual $12 million option for 2024 that includes a $4 million buyout.
Clevinger, 32, went 7-7 with a 4.33 ERA in 23 appearances (22 starts) for the San Diego 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.
