Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is currently on non-disciplinary paid leave as MLB conducts its investigation into sports betting practices. The league made this announcement on Monday, and Clase becomes the second pitcher from the Guardians to be placed on leave in connection with this ongoing investigation, joining right-hander Luis Ortiz, who was placed on leave earlier this month. As of now, there’s no indication that the two investigations are related.
According to an official statement from MLB, “Per an agreement with the MLBPA, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through games on August 31st while MLB continues its sports betting investigation.” The league has opted not to provide further details until the investigation wraps up.
The Guardians have also assured fans and media that no additional players or team personnel are expected to be affected by the investigation. They stated, “We have been informed that no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confident investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate.”
At 27 years old, Clase has established himself as one of the most formidable closers in baseball over the past few seasons. However, this year has seen him posting a 3.23 ERA and converting 24 of 29 save opportunities—a noticeable drop from the previous season’s remarkable performance that featured a 0.61 ERA and a conversion rate of 47 out of 50 save chances. Just days ago, he faced a tough outing, surrendering a walk-off three-run home run to the Kansas City Royals, further complicating his season. With the trade deadline looming, he was anticipated to be a hot commodity on the market.
In Ortiz’s case, his leave stems from a betting-integrity firm flagging two of his pitches that coincided with a significant increase in bets on specific game outcomes. These pitches, both deemed clear balls and occurring in the first at-bat of their respective innings on June 15 and June 27, have raised eyebrows, prompting scrutiny.
MLB’s rules allow players to bet on sports as long as it complies with local laws, but there are strict prohibitions for so-called “diamond” sports—baseball included. Rule 21 explicitly states that any player or official who bets on any baseball game in which they have a duty shall face permanent ineligibility.
Historical precedent is noteworthy when discussing the severity of these infractions; last year, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban, while several other players faced one-year suspensions for betting on games in which their teams weren’t involved. The league’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport is further illustrated by the recent actions of Commissioner Rob Manfred, who notably lifted some lifetime bans, including those imposed on Pete Rose and players from the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal, echoing a shift in how the league approaches past infractions.
As for the Guardians, they are navigating a challenging season, currently holding a 52-53 record. With an eight-game deficit in the AL Central and trailing 3½ games for the third wild-card spot, the team will need to rally to remain in contention as the season approaches its final stretch. The impact of these investigations adds an additional layer of pressure as they work to stabilize their roster during a critical juncture.
