LIDOM Bans Clase and Ortiz in the 2025-26 Season
The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) has made a transcendental decision by prohibiting the registration of pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for the 2025-26 season. This measure arises from a Major League Baseball (MLB) investigation involving both players for alleged involvement in sports betting.
The news was confirmed on Monday, stating that neither of the two pitchers will be able to participate in the next winter campaign.
For several weeks, MLB has been investigating Clase of the Cleveland Guardians and Ortiz of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Both players are currently on administrative leave while the investigation proceeds.
Although there is no specific rule preventing players on administrative leave from participating in winter leagues, the LIDOM commissioner’s office has opted for a preventive stance until the facts are clarified.
Both pitchers were training with the Estrellas Orientales. In Ortiz’s case, he was scheduled to be the starting pitcher in the opening game on Friday, October 17 against the Leones del Escogido.
This unexpected decision forces the team led by Fernando Tatis Sr. to reorganize its starting rotation and look for substitutes to reinforce its pitching staff, where Clase and Ortiz were key pieces.
Sources close to the team have revealed that the Estrellas Orientales could appeal the measure. However, everything indicates that LIDOM’s decision will be maintained until MLB issues an official pronouncement on the case.
