The Cleveland Guardians have placed star closer Emmanuel Clase on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of Major League Baseball’s ongoing sports betting investigation. Clase joins fellow Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz, who was placed on leave earlier this month, with both expected to remain away from the team through August 31.
This decision comes amid heightened scrutiny surrounding suspicious pitching activity during games, prompting the league to temporarily remove key relief pitchers while the probe continues. The move has raised concerns about the integrity of the sport and left the Guardians seeking alternatives to fill critical bullpen roles.
Details of Paid Leave and Investigation Surrounding Emmanuel Clase
Emmanuel Clase, a three-time MLB All-Star and one of the top relief pitchers in the league, has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave according to sources familiar with the investigation. This action follows the earlier placement of relief pitcher Luis Ortiz, who was sidelined amid allegations related to suspicious pitching in games against the Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals.
Both players are expected to remain on leave through the end of August as MLB continues its probe into potential sports betting violations. Despite the ongoing investigation, the Guardians have stated publicly that no other players or team personnel are currently expected to be impacted.
The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that as part of their sports betting investigation Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave per an agreement with the Players Association. We have been informed that no additional players or Club personnel are expected to be impacted
—Cleveland Guardians said in a statement
Clase was a critical contributor to the Guardians this season before his leave commenced. In 48 appearances, he recorded a 5-3 win-loss record and amassed 24 saves, ranking third in the American League. He has led the AL in saves for the past three seasons consecutively. This year, Clase posted a 3.23 ERA while striking out 47 batters over 47.1 innings pitched.
Social Media Erupts Over Emmanuel Clase’s Paid Leave in Betting Scandal
News of Clase’s suspension spread rapidly on social media, drawing a mix of disbelief, criticism, and mockery from fans and commentators. As the second Guardians pitcher implicated this season, the revelation intensified the spotlight on the team’s pitching staff and their connection to the gambling investigation.
Many users reacted with frustration, some targeting Clase for his recent inconsistent performances and erratic pitching. Clips of wild pitches were circulated widely as proof by critics suggesting possible game manipulation.
Fans took to X to share their opinions and statistics related to Clase’s performance, highlighting suspicious patterns in his pitching behavior during critical moments of games. Several tweets underscored the challenges gambling can pose to the integrity of baseball.
This is what happens when sports betting is legalized. It’s a disease that destroys lives. It can also hurt the integrity of all sports. We’ll unfortunately be seeing stuff like this more often.
—Brendan (@Brendan_1999_) July 28, 2025
Emmanuel Clase has come in to the game at the beginning of the 9th inning 40 times this season. Here is his Statcast Waste% (pitches that aren’t close to zone).First pitch of 9th inning: = 17.5% Every other pitch = 5.2%Just speculating, but this how Luis Ortiz got flagged.
—Foolish Baseball (@FoolishBB) July 28, 2025
Emmanuel Clase has thrown 22 pitches this season with a 0-0 count with the bases empty outside of the Gameday strike zone. Of those, I’ve classified 11 of them as “uncompetitive.” Here is a look at all of them.
—Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) July 28, 2025
Prior to the suspension, Clase’s name had surfaced in trade rumors as the Guardians prepared for the MLB trade deadline, with expectations that he could be moved. However, this development has now interrupted any ongoing negotiations.
Guardians Opt for Bullpen Committee Instead of Naming New Closer
With Emmanuel Clase sidelined, the Guardians face a critical challenge in replacing their primary closer. Manager Stephen Vogt has decided against immediately naming a new closer, instead opting for a committee approach to handle late-inning roles.
The Guardians’ bullpen struggled in a save situation on Monday night against the Colorado Rockies. In Clase’s absence, pitchers Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith, and Tim Herrin collectively allowed five runs over two innings, with Smith surrendering key runs in the ninth. This resulted in an 8-6 defeat for Cleveland, further complicating their push in the American League Central.
We’re not going to name a closer. We’re going to go [closer] by committee for right now. …You’ll see different people in the ninth. It could organically end up being one person. But for now, we’re not going to officially name a closer.
—Stephen Vogt, Cleveland Guardians Manager
The Guardians currently hold a 52-54 record and find themselves trailing the Detroit Tigers by nine games in the AL Central standings. The Tigers have extended their lead thanks to a recent string of victories, putting added pressure on Cleveland to stabilize its bullpen as the roster evolves late in the season.
Implications and Outlook for Emmanuel Clase and the Guardians
The paid leave of Emmanuel Clase amid the MLB sports betting probe has significant consequences for both the player and the Cleveland Guardians. Clase’s absence removes one of the league’s elite closers from crucial late-game situations, forcing the team to restructure its bullpen on short notice.
The ongoing MLB investigation into betting-related activities threatens to overshadow the Guardians’ season and could lead to further disciplinary actions depending on forthcoming findings. For now, the team emphasizes cooperation with the league and maintaining their competitive posture despite the uncertainty.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the investigation develops, while the Guardians navigate a challenging period without two of their prominent relief pitchers. The ultimate resolution could shape the team’s roster decisions and impact MLB’s broader efforts to safeguard the sport’s integrity moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What tattoo does Emmanuel Clase have?
A. For half a year, Emmanuel Clase was almost unstoppable. He performed exceptionally well. His energy matched the fresh lightning bolt tattoo on his neck.
Q. What ethnicity is Emmanuel Clase?
A. Emmanuel Clase, whose name is pronounced “closs-AY,” was born on March 18, 1998. He is a baseball pitcher from the Dominican Republic. Currently, he plays for the Cleveland Guardians in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Guardians, he started his MLB career with the Texas Rangers in 2019.