Former San Diego Padres right-hander Mike Clevinger is under investigation by Major League Baseball for allegedly violating the league’s domestic violence policy.
According to The Athletic, Clevinger is accused of physical and emotional abuse towards Olivia Finestead, the mother of Clevinger’s child, his three children, and their other mother. Finestead agreed to be named in The Athletic’s story.
Finestead told The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang that she has been in contact with MLB’s Department of Investigations since this summer. Clevinger was still a member of the Padres at that time, and it’s currently unclear what San Diego knew or could have done related to Clevinger’s allegations.
The Padres chose not to re-sign Mike Clevinger this offseason. He signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the White Sox. The deal includes a $12 million mutual option, with a $4 million buyout, for 2024. Chicago claims to have not been aware of the pitcher’s allegations upon signing him.
BREAKING: Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger is under investigation by MLB following allegations of domestic violence involving the mother of his 10-month-old daughter and child abuse. Story with @KatieJStrang :https://t.co/Fw7tMJ6ak7
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) January 24, 2023
The Padres released the following statement in response to Clevinger’s allegations:
“We are aware of MLB’s investigation and completely support their efforts under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy. Due to the ongoing investigative process, we cannot comment any further at this time.”
Clevinger, meanwhile, “emphatically denies” the allegations, as his layers said in a statement Tuesday.
“He has never harmed Ms. Finestead or his daughter,” the statement said. “We will not comment on Ms. Finestead’s motive for bringing these false allegations. Her baseless threats and accusations over the last few months have regrettably escalated, culminating most recently in deeply disturbing threats towards Mike and Mike’s family. Her threats and her pattern of abusive behavior are well documented. The simple truth is that Mike has done nothing wrong.”
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