Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are unlikely to return to the mound this season. MLB officials said Sunday the pair would remain on paid leave “until further notice” amid a gambling investigation.
The league had originally agreed to sideline the pair through Sunday after reports of suspicious bets placed on the pair emerged earlier this summer.
Ortiz was initially exiled to the clubhouse on July 3 due to prop wagers placed on his pitches during certain games in June. His two-week leave has now been extended twice.
Unidentified bettors reportedly placed substantial bets on Ortiz to throw first-pitch balls during specific at-bats on June 15 and June 27. Both bets were successful, as Ortiz tossed sliders well outside of the strike zone.
The 26-year-old Ortiz was 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA in 16 starts before his ban.
The MLB broadened its investigation to include Clase, a closer, later in July.
Clase had 24 saves and was 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA this season.
The Guardians entered Sunday’s game against the Seattle Mariners with a 68-66 record, three games behind Seattle in the race for the American League’s final wild card spot.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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