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Some wonder if the White Sox will release pitcher Mike Clevinger athletic Major League Baseball reported Tuesday that it is investigating allegations of domestic violence and child abuse by the mother of his youngest son.
Due to league policy, teams are currently unable to discipline Clevinger.
In accordance with the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy of MLB and MLBPA, the Commissioner’s Office retains the authority to discipline players who violate the policy. Therefore, the White Sox are not authorized to discipline Clevinger before an investigation is completed unless the Commissioner’s Office cedes that authority to the team, per policy.
Release of Clevinger before the investigation was completed could be construed as grounds for complaint.
The investigation was only released this week, but MLB first became aware of the allegations last summer, when Clevinger was playing for the San Diego Padres. The White Sox signed free agency to a one-year, $12 million contract in December.
MLB’s investigative process is highly confidential, so the team is unaware that an investigation into Clevinger is underway. The White Sox were not aware of these allegations when they signed Clevinger.
Non-disciplinary administrative leave is available as an option to keep players away from the team while the investigation is ongoing. Such a move would fall under the authority of the Commissioner, and any extension would require him to agree jointly with the MLBPA.
Clevinger’s former teammate Trevor Bauer took a leave of absence for 2021 in light of allegations that surfaced mid-season, stepping in in a situation that might otherwise have made its scheduled start. Braves outfielder Marcel Ozuna took a leave of absence that same season in response to the arrest.
Similarly, league sources who aren’t authorized to comment publicly say no immediate circumstances are required for the commissioner to put a player on leave, but that’s usually if they’ve been employed in the past.
The White Sox are three weeks away from the start of spring training, so it’s unclear if the administrative leave is the action the league will take against Clevinger. No administrative leave was implemented prior to spring training when no games were played.
The White Sox’s commitment to Clevinger that year is binding, regardless of whether it results in an unpaid suspension unless the league makes a vacation decision or the investigation reaches a resolution.
(Photo: Nick Antaya/Getty Images)
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