MLB Extends Leaves for Guardians' Pitchers Amid Betting Probe

Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association have indefinitely extended the non-disciplinary paid leave of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz amid an ongoing sports betting investigation. Both players were initially placed on leave in July, with Ortiz's leave beginning on July 3 and Clase's on July 28.

The investigation centers on unusual betting activity related to specific in-game events during their appearances. Ortiz, 26, is under scrutiny for suspicious in-game prop bets during his starts on June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. A betting integrity firm flagged unusual wagering patterns on the first pitch of specific innings in these games, where bettors placed significant amounts on the outcome being a ball or hit batsman. In both instances, Ortiz's first pitches were sliders that missed the strike zone.

Emmanuel Clase, 27, was placed on leave as MLB expanded its investigation to include him, though specific details regarding his involvement have not been publicly disclosed.

The Cleveland Guardians have stated they are fully cooperating with the investigation. The team has been informed that no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission is collaborating with MLB on the investigation, having been alerted to unusual wagering activity by a licensed sportsbook on June 30, 2025.

In response to the investigation, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has called for a ban on player-specific prop bets, citing concerns over their impact on the integrity of sports. He emphasized the harm to athletes and the integrity of the game, stating, "The prop betting experiment in this country has failed badly."

This investigation is part of a broader trend of sports betting scandals in professional sports. Notably, in 2024, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban for betting on games involving his own team. Additionally, four other players were suspended for a year for gambling on baseball games not involving their teams.

The ongoing investigation underscores the challenges MLB faces in maintaining the integrity of the game amid the expansion of legalized sports betting. The potential involvement of high-profile players like Clase and Ortiz raises concerns about the effectiveness of current monitoring systems and the need for stricter regulations on prop bets.

The MLB regular season is set to conclude on September 28, 2025.