MLB Extends Paid Leaves: Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz

The Cleveland Guardians just got hit with a brutal setback right in the middle of their playoff chase. Star closer Emmanuel Clase and starting pitcher Luis Ortiz are stuck on indefinite paid leave while Major League Baseball investigates possible gambling violations.

What started as a short-term absence has spiraled into a season-defining mess. Both players probably won’t be back before the regular season ends in late September.

This whole ordeal, tied to prop bets and alleged gambling, has rattled the league. It’s got people wondering—where does baseball really stand on integrity and sports betting these days?

Extended Leaves and Uncertain Futures

At first, Ortiz and Clase were only supposed to be out until August 31. Then MLB and the Players Association decided to keep them on nondisciplinary leave “until further notice.”

That means they’re out of the clubhouse during the most important stretch of the year. The Guardians have already cleared out both players’ lockers, which usually means a return this season is off the table.

The season wraps on September 28, so Cleveland’s running out of time—and reasons—to expect a quick resolution.

Luis Ortiz Under the Microscope

Ortiz came over from Pittsburgh in the offseason. He landed on leave July 3, right when he was set to start against the Cubs at Wrigley.

MLB’s reportedly looking into whether Ortiz influenced prop bets in games he pitched. Before all this, he had a 4-9 record with a 4.36 ERA over 16 starts.

If the allegations stick, Ortiz could be in for serious disciplinary action. Manipulating in-game betting outcomes would be a huge blow to baseball’s reputation.

Emmanuel Clase’s Abrupt Departure

Clase got pulled into the investigation on July 28, and honestly, it shocked a lot of people. Right before the trade deadline, news broke that one of the league’s best closers would be gone indefinitely.

He’d been having another solid season—24 saves, 3.23 ERA. In 2023, he led the American League with 47 saves, so losing him is a gut punch.

His absence forced Cleveland to scramble. Reliever Cade Smith has taken over closing duties for now.

Gambling in Baseball — A Growing Concern

This isn’t the first gambling scandal to hit MLB in 2024. Back in June, the league suspended five players for gambling violations, including a lifetime ban for Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano.

These stories just make it clearer—legalized sports betting brings a whole new set of headaches. MLB’s drawn a hard line: players can’t bet on baseball, and certain types of gambling are totally off-limits.

Impact on the Guardians’ Season

Even with two key arms missing, the Guardians are still hanging in the AL wild-card race. The manager’s made some smart moves, and the bullpen’s stepped up, but let’s be real—losing Clase’s late-inning dominance and Ortiz’s starts hurts.

The front office isn’t saying much about the investigation. Everyone’s just waiting to see how it shakes out.

What Happens Next?

MLB’s investigation keeps rolling, with no end date in sight. Based on previous cases, suspensions—or even lifetime bans—could be on the table if the league finds evidence of wrongdoing.

But even if the players get cleared, their reputations might take a hit. The Guardians will have to finish out the season under this cloud, and honestly, it’s anybody’s guess what the league does next.

Key Takeaways

Here’s what we know so far about the ongoing saga:

• Both Clase and Ortiz are still on indefinite paid leave.
• Ortiz’s case looks like it involves potential manipulation of prop bets.
• Clase’s absence has really forced Cleveland to rethink its bullpen strategy.
• MLB says it’s cracking down more on gambling violations lately.
• The Guardians are still hanging in the AL wild-card race, even with all this going on.

This story isn’t just about Cleveland. It’s raising big questions about how MLB handles the new world of sports gambling and tries to protect the game’s integrity.

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Here is the source article for this story: MLB Extends Paid Leaves For Guardians Pitchers Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz ‘Until Further Notice’