Clevinger ‘just trying to move forward’ after ruling
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Speaking publicly for the first time since Sunday’s announcement, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger called Major League Baseball’s ruling that he won’t face discipline “a weight lifted.”
MLB said in a statement Sunday that it won’t impose discipline on Clevinger after investigating allegations of domestic violence and child abuse.
“I’m just thankful for the due process playing out the way it is,” Clevinger said Tuesday at Camelback Ranch.
The Sox were off Monday, meaning Tuesday was the first opportunity for Clevinger to discuss the ruling with reporters.
“This was a bad situation, a devastating situation,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m just trying to move forward. I want to focus on baseball now. I want to focus on helping this club win. Looking forward to helping my family heal from this.”
Olivia Finestead, the mother of Clevinger’s infant daughter, told The Athletic in late January that she had informed MLB’s Department of Investigations of “incidents of physical, verbal and emotional abuse.”
Clevinger was with the San Diego Padres at the time of the alleged incidents. He signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Sox in December.
In its statement, MLB said the commissioner’s office “has closed this investigation” and “barring the receipt of any new information or evidence” will not be imposing discipline on Clevinger.
“We’ve let MLB do their thing,” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Tuesday. “We’ve respected that. And that is extremely important to us as an organization. And MLB has spoken. We’ve just got to move forward and continue to work and continue to get him ready for the start of the season.
“He’s been working hard here and we were prepared for whatever decision MLB made. In this situation, he’s obviously going to be in our rotation and we’re moving forward.”
Clevinger said teammates have been supportive.
“I’ve felt bad this whole time they’ve had to answer any questions,” he said. “I felt bad (that Lucas Giolito) had to get done with his start (Sunday) and talk about it (to reporters). I’m ready for them to not have to answer for this. I’m ready to just (be where) we can all just focus on this baseball thing that we’re here to do.”
Asked if he had a message to Sox fans, Clevinger said: “I appreciate everyone who waited until the verdict was out. I appreciate anyone who didn’t rush to judgment on this and kept their cool and understood the ramifications of these accusations.”
MLB said its investigation included “interviews of more than 15 individuals, in addition to Mr. Clevinger and the complainant, as well as a review of available documents, such as thousands of electronic communication records.”
“We’ve been back and forth in talks with them going on eight months,” said Clevinger, who added that he “was an open book to them.”
MLB said as part of the path forward, Clevinger “has voluntarily agreed to submit to evaluations by the joint treatment boards under the collectively bargained policies and to comply with any of the boards’ recommendations.”
Clevinger kept preparing for the season while awaiting a ruling.
He pitched two innings in a B game Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, wrapping up a couple of hours before MLB’s announcement. He’s scheduled to start against the Padres on Saturday in Peoria, Ariz.
“It was definitely a trying time,” he said. “I’m just lucky to have the right people in my corner. I’ve got my family behind me, my agency has been through me with this and the White Sox, they’ve been there every step of the way. And of course my teammates.
“I think I’ll finally be able to completely get 100% concentration on rest, recovery, the weight room and obviously on the field.”