Major League Baseball (MLB) has launched an investigation into suspicious betting patterns associated with Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz. The league has placed Ortiz on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31 while the probe continues. The investigation focuses on whether bettors gained an advantage by betting on specific pitches thrown by the pitcher.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the probe has identified unusual betting activity that correlates with individual pitches from Ortiz. The details of the betting patterns are still under review, but the MLB has confirmed that this is part of its ongoing efforts to combat betting fraud within the sport. The league is also looking into whether there were any connections to third-party entities that may have facilitated the betting.
Cleveland Guardians management has stated that Ortiz is cooperating fully with the investigation. The team has not commented on the broader implications of the probe for their season, but it is expected that any findings will have a significant impact on how the league approaches player conduct and betting practices in the future.