The Cleveland Guardians are facing ongoing turbulence as star closer Emmanuel Clase and pitcher Luis Ortiz remain on indefinite paid leave. This comes amid Major League Baseball’s widening gambling investigation.
Originally expected to return by August 31, both players will now be sidelined “until further notice.” MLB and the players’ union made this call together.
The Guardians haven’t commented, but the probe’s drawing serious attention across the league. It’s not just about legal drama—Cleveland’s playoff hopes are hanging in the balance.
Gambling Investigation Extends Past Initial Timeline
The situation kicked off in early July when news broke that MLB was investigating gambling activity possibly tied to Luis Ortiz. Investigators wanted to know if Ortiz influenced prop bets in games he pitched.
That’s a big accusation, especially in a league that’s embraced sports betting partnerships while still banning players from betting on baseball. The tension’s pretty thick.
Ortiz Pulled Just Before Scheduled Start
On July 3, Cleveland yanked Ortiz from the active roster just hours before he was supposed to start against the Cubs. He’s been out way longer than anyone guessed.
Ortiz, who came over from the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 2025 season, had become a steady rotation guy for Cleveland. He put up a 4.36 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 16 starts.
His absence forced the Guardians to juggle their rotation right in the thick of a playoff chase. It’s not the kind of disruption any team wants in August.
Clase Becomes Part of the Investigation
Less than a month later, MLB expanded its inquiry to include Emmanuel Clase. He’s a three-time All-Star and, honestly, one of the nastiest closers in baseball.
Clase’s name started swirling in rumors near the trade deadline, but any possible deal vanished when the league put him on leave on July 28.
Impact on Guardians’ Bullpen
Clase had been putting up another strong year: 3.23 ERA, 24 saves in 48 appearances. The Guardians rely hard on their bullpen, so losing Clase stings.
Without him locking down the ninth, the bullpen’s been a bit of a scramble. Guys have shifted into new roles, and the pecking order isn’t clear anymore.
MLB’s Stance on Gambling Integrity
Major League Baseball doesn’t mess around when it comes to players influencing games. They haven’t shared details of the allegations, but keeping both players on indefinite leave says a lot about how seriously they’re taking this.
In the past, gambling scandals have led to suspensions that vary depending on whether a player bet on their own games or just on others. If evidence turns up that Ortiz or Clase actually affected play for betting reasons, the fallout could get ugly.
Guardians Still in Playoff Hunt
Somehow, even with two important pitchers missing, the Guardians are still in the mix. Right now, Cleveland sits:
- 9.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central
- Only three games back of the Boston Red Sox for the final AL Wild Card spot
There’s a month of baseball left, so the postseason dream isn’t dead yet. But, let’s be real, their margin for error is razor thin.
Pressure on Remaining Staff
If Cleveland wants to stick around, their pitching staff has to step up. Relievers and starters are getting thrown into tough spots, and the manager’s decisions matter more than ever.
The front office is just trying to navigate all this uncertainty. No one really knows if either of these key arms will pitch again in 2025, and that’s got to be weighing on everyone.
What’s Next for Clase, Ortiz, and the Guardians?
Right now, the league hasn’t shared a timeline for wrapping up the investigation. Ortiz and Clase could be cleared entirely, or MLB might hit them with suspensions that last the whole season.
Cleveland has to plan for games without those two. That could last all year, honestly.
This situation might even shape how MLB deals with gambling issues down the road. Sports betting is everywhere now, and it’s tangled up with how fans watch the game.
The league has to protect the game’s integrity, but also can’t ignore that betting’s become a big part of the landscape. There’s no perfect answer here, is there?
Here is the source article for this story: Guardians pitchers’ paid leave extended indefinitely as MLB continues gambling probe
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