Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been at the center of Major League Baseball trade rumors for weeks. However, following his placement on paid leave in connection with a gambling investigation, sources now suggest that his MLB career may be coming to an end.
Alongside Clase, fellow Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz is also under investigation. Recent reports confirm that both players’ lockers were cleared out in the Cleveland clubhouse, signaling a significant shift within the team and casting serious doubt on their return to professional baseball.
Clubhouse Clearout Signals Possible End of MLB Careers for Clase and Ortiz
The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, a Cleveland Guardians insider, revealed that the team removed the belongings of Clase and Ortiz from their lockers just hours after he publicly expressed skepticism about their ability to continue playing in MLB. Meisel’s remarks emphasize the severity of the situation surrounding these two pitchers.
“I have a hard time envisioning them ever pitching in Major League Baseball again, honestly. I don’t want to speculate on what the investigation might end up proving or disproving but there was a player banned from baseball a year ago and it was much less than this…This is two pitchers who had the ball in their hand and if you can’t trust that, there’s not a spot for you…I have a really hard time picturing any scenario where they’re back pitching.” —Zack Meisel on Cleveland Guardians relievers
Background: Ortiz’s Betting Activity Raises Red Flags
The investigation into Luis Ortiz intensified after evidence surfaced regarding an unusually high volume of bets on two specific pitches he threw. The first incident occurred during a game against the Seattle Mariners on June 15, when a pitch in the second inning landed well outside the strike zone. The second instance happened on June 27 versus the St. Louis Cardinals, involving the first pitch of the third inning, which was similarly outside the zone.
Ortiz was placed on paid leave on July 3. Later, MLB extended this leave through August 31, reflecting the ongoing nature and seriousness of the inquiry.
Clase’s Investigation Remains Under Wraps, But Linked to Ortiz’s Case
Details about the probe into Emmanuel Clase have not been made public, though reports indicate the investigation is tied to the one involving Ortiz. Both pitchers currently remain on non-disciplinary paid leave, with no expected resolution date as of now.
Clase, 27, is notable as a three-time MLB All-Star and a dominant closer who has led the American League in saves for three consecutive seasons, earning the AL Reliever of the Year Award in both 2022 and 2024. His statistical record includes a 3.23 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and a 47-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 47.1 innings pitched in 2024.
Major League Baseball’s Stance on Betting Violations
While MLB permits players to bet on sports other than baseball, the league maintains strict rules prohibiting gambling on its own games. Rule 21(a) of the MLB rulebook states that any player or club-related individual who
“fails to give his best efforts towards the winning of any baseball game with which he is or may be in any way concerned”
is subject to permanent ineligibility.
This rule is at the heart of the MLB inquiry, especially if evidence shows that either Clase or Ortiz deliberately manipulated pitches to influence betting outcomes.
Historical Context of Gambling Penalties in Professional Sports
Last year, MLB handed a lifetime ban to Tucupita Marcano after uncovering that he placed extensive bets on baseball games, including contests involving his own team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. This precedent highlights the gravity with which the league treats integrity violations connected to gambling.
Similarly, the NBA faced a major scandal in 2024 when player Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban after being found guilty of disclosing confidential health information that led to a bettor winning over $1 million on a parlay bet. Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Potential Impact and Outlook for Clase and Ortiz
With the ongoing MLB investigation and both players on extended paid leave, it appears increasingly unlikely that Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz will resume their careers this season, if at all. The clearing out of their lockers strongly suggests the Guardians and the league are distancing themselves from the two pitchers amid the high stakes of the betting scandal.
The outcome of this investigation may set a significant precedent within baseball, reflecting MLB’s efforts to maintain the sport’s integrity. Should the league conclude that Clase or Ortiz intentionally compromised the game, it could lead to permanent bans comparable to past cases.