Class and Ortiz: Suspended for Illegal Betting Case
CLEVELAND, U.S. – Dominican pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, belonging to the Cleveland Guardians, are on administrative leave without pay due to a judicial investigation related to illegal betting in MLB.
The Major League Baseball announced that this decision was made in agreement with the players’ union. It is important to note that this change of status does not imply an admission of guilt on the part of the players.
Initially, both pitchers were placed on paid leave in July 2025, when the investigations began. However, the situation changed with the progress of the legal process, which resulted in their suspension without pay.
The accusations suggest that Clase was involved in the manipulation of pitches in several matches between 2023 and 2025, allegedly in collaboration with bettors. It is estimated that these actions generated profits close to 400 thousand dollars on betting platforms.
For his part, Ortiz would have been linked to the scheme in June 2025.
The star closer has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty in federal court. As part of the judicial measures, he surrendered his passport, has travel restrictions, and is under supervision.
This case has generated great interest in the world of professional baseball, both for the seriousness of the accusations and for its potential impact on the integrity of the game.
In the sports field, Emmanuel Clase was consolidating as one of the best closers in Major League Baseball, standing out in the 2024 season. Luis Ortiz, for his part, had shown consistency as part of the team’s pitching staff.
The league has announced that it will not issue further comments until the investigation concludes, while the players await the outcome of the judicial process.
