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Some have questioned whether the White Sox will release pitcher Mike Clevinger after The Athletic reported Tuesday that Major League Baseball is investigating allegations of domestic violence and child abuse made by the mother of his youngest child.
League policy prevents the team from disciplining Clevinger now.
Per the MLB and MLBPA’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, the Commissioner’s Office holds the authority to discipline players in violation of the policy. Therefore, the White Sox would not be authorized to discipline Clevinger prior to the completion of the investigation, unless the Commissioner’s Office transferred that authority to the team, according to the policy.
Releasing Clevinger before the completion of the investigation would likely be construed as grounds for a grievance.
The investigation just became public this week, but MLB was first made aware of the claims last summer when Clevinger was playing for the San Diego Padres.