In a significant mid-season development, Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on “non-disciplinary paid leave” through the All-Star break, according to an announcement by MLB on Thursday morning. The reason for this leave stems from an ongoing investigation by the league. While the details remain under wraps, the league has stated it will make no further comments until the investigation reaches its conclusion.
Ortiz was originally lined up to take the mound against the Cubs on Thursday evening at the iconic Wrigley Field. Instead, the Guardians have turned to Joey Cantillo, promoting him from Triple-A Columbus to fill Ortiz’s spot.
The Guardians organization issued a succinct statement acknowledging the situation: “The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”
With a 4.36 ERA over 16 starts this season, Ortiz has been a solid fixture in the Guardians’ rotation. The 26-year-old joined the team following a trade with the Pirates last November, after spending the previous two seasons in Pittsburgh. His absence, albeit temporary for now, poses a challenge for the Guardians as they navigate the stretch leading into the All-Star break. Fans will be watching closely for updates, eager to understand the impact this situation will have on the team’s dynamic moving forward.
