White Sox' Clevinger Cleared to Pitch, Will Not be Suspended or Fined by MLB

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger will not be suspended, fined or disciplined by Major League Baseball after MLB opened an investigation after allegations of child abuse and domestic violence came from the mother of his daughter, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports.

Newly signed Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger will not be suspended, fined or disciplined by Major League Baseball after MLB opened an investigation after allegations of child abuse and domestic violence came from the mother of his daughter, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports.

Chicago #WhiteSox Mike Clevinger will not face discipline by #MLB.
"We accept the conclusion of the thorough, months-long investigation conducted by the Commissioner’s Office with respect to Mike Clevinger,'' Sox said in a statement.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 5, 2023

Clevinger has participated in workouts, but has not pitched in a spring training game yet, since spring training play began last weekend.

"I am pleased that Major League Baseball has concluded its investigation," Clevinger said in a statement Sunday. "I had nothing to hide and cooperated fully with MLB. This situation has been stressful for my family, and I thank them for their strength and support. I asked everyone not to rush to judgment until MLB's investigation was concluded, and I appreciate everyone who had faith in me, including the White Sox organization and my teammates. I am looking forward to the 2023 season and helping the White Sox win a championship this year."

Clevinger signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the White Sox in December. The deal includes a mutual $12 million option for 2024.

The signing came less than two months after Clevinger struggled in the 2022 postseason, allowing seven runs on six hits and three walks in two starts in which he compiled just 2.2 innings pitched. He was removed from Game 4 of the NLCS without recording a single out, after allowing three runs on three hits, a walk and a home run.

Clevinger, 32, excelled in his first three full Major League seasons, all of which he pitched for the Cleveland Indians. In 2020, after breaking COVID-19 protocol, Clevinger was dealt to the San Diego Padres in an eight-player trade in which the Padres acquired Clevinger, Greg Allen and Matt Waldron. In exchange for Clevinger, Allen and Waldron, the Indians received Austin Hedges, Josh Naylor, Cal Quantrill, Gabriel Arias, Owen Miller and Joey Cantillo.

Less than three months after he was acquired by the Padres, Clevinger signed a two-year extension with the club. That same day, the club announced that Clevinger would require Tommy John surgery. He missed all of the 2021 season.

Clevinger returned to the Padres in 2022, making 22 starts and recording a 7-7 record, 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 86 ERA+ over 114.1 innings pitched.

Clevinger is expected to be the White Sox' fifth starter, pitching behind Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn. Clevinger replaces Johnny Cueto, who the White Sox signed to a minor league deal last spring. At 36, Cueto found the fountain of youth, logging a 3.35 ERA in 24 starts for the club in 2022.

Will Clevinger experience a similar bounce-back to the one Cueto enjoyed in 2022, pitching on the south side? We'll find out. But the veteran righty will be clear to pitch for the entirety of the 2023 season, and will not face discipline from the league.

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