Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary leave amid an MLB sports betting investigation. Clase joins fellow Guardian pitcher Luis Ortiz on the leave list, both under scrutiny for incidents related to sports betting.
The Guardians announced that Emmanuel Clase is on non-disciplinary paid leave as per MLB’s investigation. He is the second pitcher from the Guardians involved in this probe, after Luis Ortiz, who was placed on leave on July 3.
Clase, a key reliever expected by some to be traded before the July 31 deadline, will remain on leave at least until August 31, following an agreement with the Players Association. The Guardians stated that no further players or personnel are anticipated to be affected by this investigation.
The Guardians’ statement said, “Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave per an agreement with the Players Association. No additional players or Club personnel are expected to be impacted. We respect the league’s confidential investigative process and will continue to fully cooperate.”
Luis Ortiz was initially placed on leave on July 3, with an expected return on July 18, but this was extended to August 31. A monitoring firm reported unusual betting activity on two pitches Ortiz threw in games against the Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals. These pitches were balls outside the strike zone, with significant money wagered on whether Ortiz would throw a strike or ball in certain innings.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com