By Associated Press
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Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as Major League Baseball investigates potential involvement in sports betting.
Clase, a three-time All-Star and one of MLB's top closers, is now the second Guardians pitcher linked to the ongoing probe. Teammate Luis Ortiz was also placed on similar leave, which extends through August 31. It remains unclear whether the two cases are connected.
In a statement, the Guardians confirmed they were informed that no other players or staff members are expected to be affected by the investigation.
The 27-year-old Clase has posted a 5-3 record with 24 saves in 48 appearances this season, although his 3.23 ERA is the highest of his career. He led the American League in saves for the past three seasons and was considered a potential trade target ahead of the upcoming deadline.
MLB stated that Clase’s leave is part of an agreement with the players’ union and declined to comment further while the investigation continues.
The Guardians, currently second in the AL Central with a 52-53 record, open a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
The probe into Ortiz centers around suspicious in-game prop bets placed on two specific pitches during his starts on June 15 in Seattle and June 27 against St. Louis. A betting integrity firm flagged the unusual activity and alerted the league.
Clase and Ortiz’s cases follow a wave of disciplinary actions by MLB in June, when five players were suspended for gambling violations. Among them, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban after placing 387 baseball bets totaling over $150,000.
Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and three minor leaguers—San Diego’s Jay Groome, Arizona’s Andrew Saalfrank, and Philadelphia’s José Rodríguez—received one-year suspensions.
Additionally, umpire Pat Hoberg was dismissed in February for sharing his sportsbook account with a friend who placed bets on baseball, and for deleting evidence during MLB’s inquiry.