Cleveland Closer Emmanuel Clase Sidelined By MLB Gambling Probe

A second Cleveland pitcher has been placed on paid administrative leave in an ongoing sports betting investigation by Major League Baseball.

This time, it’s former All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, a 27-year-old right-hander whose spring training clubhouse cubicle was adjacent to that of fellow pitcher Luis Ortiz, also now sidelined by a gambling investigation.

Neither the Guardians nor MLB would provide further comment, although both players have been ordered out of action through the end of August – making them ineligible for potential trades before the July 31 deadline.

Cy Young Contender

Clase, whose 0.61 earned run average in 2024 earned him a third-place finish in the American League’s Cy Young Award voting, has led the league in saves three years in a row.

Although he wasn’t pitching as well this season, Clase is still coveted by rival clubs.

Under terms of their suspensions, Clase and Ortiz are barred from the Progressive Field clubhouse and any other facilities owned by the Guardians. Ortiz, whose ban was announced on July 3 and later extended through the end of next month, has been keeping in pitching shape at an independent training facility in town.

The connection between the relief pitchers is their shared interest in animals, especially chickens and horses on their farms in the Dominican Republic.

For the Guardians, losing Clase for any length of time could cripple their long-shot playoff bid. The team entered play Monday with a 52-53 record, eight games off the pace of the front-running Detroit Tigers in the American League Central but just three-and-a-half removed from the third and final wild-card spot.

No Other Suspects

Major League Baseball has informed the ballclub that no other Guardians players or personnel are involved in the gambling investigation.

“The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate,” the team said in an official statement.

Gambling on baseball is banned for players, coaches, and managers. But violations – coupled with fines and suspensions – have tarnished the game since its early years.

Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were banned for life by Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the first Commissioner of Baseball, and Pete Rose received a lifetime ban for allegedly betting on the game while he served as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Even Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays were punished for accepting jobs as greeters in Atlantic City casinos, though Bowie Kuhn’s ban was overturned by Peter Ueberroth, who succeeded him as Commissioner of Baseball.

Prominent signs prohibited gambling are posted in every big-league clubhouse. Violators can be banned for life, as Rose was, and placed on the ineligible list – keeping them off the Hall of Fame ballot as well.

Anti-Gambling Rules

According to Major League Rule Rule 21d(2): “Any player, umpire or club or league official or employee who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”

In addition, MLB Rule 21d(3) reads as follows: “Any player, umpire or club or league official or employee who places bets with illegal book makers or agents for illegal book makers, shall be subject to such penalty as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct.”

Regarding the paid leaves of Ortiz and Clase, Major League Baseball said in a statement that it will not comment further until its investigation has been completed.

Just the cloud of an investigation can be enough to derail a player’s career – not to mention hurt his earning power.

Clase, for example, is earning $4,900,000 this season as part of a five-year, $20 million contract that runs through 2026 but contains team options for 2027 and 2028.

The less experienced Ortiz signed a one-year, $782,600 contract for the 2025 season but is not yet eligible for salary arbitration.

Both players will be paid under terms of their administrative leave. Unless their leaves are extended, their status is likely to change – one way or the other – after results of the investigation are announced.