The Cleveland Guardians’ pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, have had their paid leave extended indefinitely as Major League Baseball (MLB) continues its ongoing gambling investigation. MLB and the players’ union reached an agreement to delay their return until further notice, with the Guardians choosing to remain silent until the probe is complete.
Ortiz was initially placed on leave on July 3, right before he was scheduled to start against the Chicago Cubs, as MLB investigated whether he was influencing prop bets in games he pitched. Clase, a three-time All-Star, was placed on leave on July 28 when MLB expanded its investigation. His leave came at a time when he was considered a possible trade candidate before the deadline, but the probe halted those discussions.
The situation has had a notable impact on the team’s performance, as the Guardians have faced challenges in the National League Central division. Despite the turmoil, the team continues to compete, though they are currently 9.5 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers and three games behind the Boston Red Sox in the pursuit of the American League wild-card spot. The ongoing investigation highlights the league’s commitment to addressing potential gambling-related issues within its teams.