BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz will remain on nondisciplinary paid leave “until further notice” as a significant gambling investigation unfolds, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today. This decision, confirmed in an official statement on October 15, 2023, follows unusual betting activity related to Ortiz’s performances in two games this past June.
The investigation centers around suspicious betting patterns on Ortiz’s first pitches during games against the Seattle Mariners and the St. Louis Cardinals. Reports indicate that a sportsbook flagged the first pitch of the second inning on June 15 as a potential ball or hit batsman, and the same scenario arose in the third inning on June 27. In both instances, Ortiz delivered first-pitch sliders that were notably outside the strike zone.
The integrity firm IC360, which collaborates with sportsbooks and sports leagues, alerted clients about the unusual betting activity on June 27. Following this, Ortiz was placed on paid leave on July 3, with Clase joining him weeks later on July 28. MLB has stated that it will refrain from further comments until the investigation concludes.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission, which regulates the state’s sports betting market, is also conducting its own independent investigation alongside MLB. Betting on the outcome of individual pitches, known as microbetting, is a niche market available at select U.S. sportsbooks. While New Jersey and Ohio have moved to prohibit these types of bets, some sportsbooks continue to allow wagering on pitch outcomes.
As the Guardians currently trail by three games in the American League wild-card race, the absence of their key pitchers raises concerns about the team’s performance and playoff hopes. Fans and analysts alike are keeping a close watch on the situation as it develops, eager for clarity on the future of Clase and Ortiz.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent developing story.
