The Cleveland Guardians’ closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave amid Major League Baseball‘s ongoing investigation into sports betting, according to reports from ESPN’s Jeff Passan on July 28, 2025. This development comes concurrently with another Guardians pitcher, Luis Ortiz, who was previously sidelined under similar circumstances linked to a suspicious pitch thrown against the St. Louis Cardinals’ catcher Pedro Pages. Clase, a top bullpen asset, had drawn significant trade interest as teams sought to bolster their late-inning relief options before the deadline.
BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB’s sports-betting investigation, sources tell ESPN. Clase is the second Guardians pitcher on leave tied to the investigation, joining right-hander Luis Ortiz.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2025
Ryan Helsley’s Trade Value Surges Amid the Clase Scandal
With Emmanuel Clase’s status uncertain due to the betting investigation, the St. Louis Cardinals’ closer Ryan Helsley has emerged as one of the most sought-after relievers on the trade market. Helsley’s availability is expected to attract considerable attention from contending teams looking for a reliable shutdown arm. While Minnesota Twins’ relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax also remain trade possibilities, Helsley stands out as the elite option available. As the trade deadline approaches, his value is rising even higher.
Helsley openly acknowledged that he sees about a 90% chance of being traded this season, though he expressed a preference to stay with the Cardinals. Over 36 games this year, he has posted a 3.00 ERA with a 26.1% strikeout rate, showing some regression compared to previous seasons, but still performing at a high level. His slider has returned to top-tier form, and many believe that with proper adjustments, Helsley could regain the fastball command that helped him produce ERAs of 1.25, 2.45, and 2.04 in the 2022 through 2024 campaigns.
Wide Interest from Contenders Could Trigger a Competitive Bidding War for Helsley
Several playoff contenders—including the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Seattle Mariners—are likely to consider Helsley a critical addition for their bullpens. Given his skill set and potential to return to elite performance, one of these teams is expected to make a compelling offer soon. The Cardinals have reportedly indicated that Helsley could still be extended a qualifying offer in the offseason, which means any trade proposal will need to exceed the value of that compensatory draft pick to persuade St. Louis to part ways with him.
Implications of Baseball’s Gambling Scandal on the Closer Market
The MLB betting investigation involving Emmanuel Clase highlights the growing complexities teams face when pursuing front-line relief pitchers before the trade deadline. The suspension of Clase from active play has sent ripples through the market, reshaping the landscape for available shutdown relievers. For the Cardinals, this situation bolsters Ryan Helsley’s importance both as a competitive piece and a valuable trade asset. As the investigation continues, clubs will monitor not only contractual consequences but also MLB’s responses to gambling-related concerns, all of which could influence transaction strategies entering the offseason.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What tattoo does Emmanuel Clase have?
A. Emmanuel Clase was almost unbeatable for six months. He performed exceptionally well. He was as exciting as the new lightning bolt tattoo on his neck.
Q. What ethnicity is Emmanuel Clase?
A. Emmanuel Clase, born on March 18, 1998, is a professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He pitches for the Cleveland Guardians in Major League Baseball (MLB). Clase began his MLB career with the Texas Rangers in 2019.