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Clevinger reports as MLB probes domestic violence charges

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Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (52) works out during a spring training baseball practice, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

GLENDALE, Ariz. ā€“ Mike Clevinger has reported to the Chicago White Sox for spring training, joining his new team amid an ongoing investigation by Major League Baseball into allegations of domestic violence.

Clevinger addressed the team, apologizing for being a distraction on the first day of camp. The pitcher also told reporters he is confident he will be exonerated.

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ā€œI trust the process from MLB, I really do,ā€ Clevinger said Wednesday. ā€œI think thereā€™s a reason Iā€™m sitting in front of you today. Iā€™m just asking everyone to wait before they rush to judgment. Wait until the actual facts are out there, wait until thereā€™s actual evidence, and then make your decision on who you think I am.ā€

The 32-year-old Clevinger finalized a $12 million, one-year contract with Chicago in December. MLB's probe predates his agreement with the White Sox.

Chicago general manager Rick Hahn told reporters the teamā€™s ā€œonly optionā€ was to allow the right-hander to come to camp while awaiting results of MLBā€™s investigation. He said the team ā€œcan get betterā€ in how it vets potential additions.

ā€œThe longer answer is, without anyone having violated the confidentiality of the policy, we weren't going to find this information out," Hahn said, ā€œand the fact of the matter is is that the confidentiality element of the policy is essential for it to function properly.ā€

In an Instagram post on Jan. 24, Olivia Finestead said she is the mother of Clevingerā€™s child and alleged he fathered two other children who were not hers. She posted a photo of marks on her body with accompanying words that alleged the injuries were ā€œfrom when he threw an iPad at me pregnantā€ and ā€œfinally left when he strangled me.ā€

ā€œMike Clevinger,ā€ she added, ā€œyou really deserve hell Iā€™ve kept quiet now for almost a year and you continue to covertly abuse your infant.ā€ She said Clevinger ā€threw chew spit on our baby.ā€

The Associated Press typically does not identify victims of domestic violence or sexual assault unless they agree to be named or come forward publicly with their allegations, as Finestead has.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


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