Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball for breaking the league's rules on sports gambling, sources told ESPN on Thursday, and he has been placed on "non-disciplinary paid leave" through July 17.
The investigation into Ortiz's alleged gambling comes a little more than a year after MLB levied a lifetime ban against San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for placing nearly 400 bets on baseball. Four other players received one-year suspensions for gambling on baseball while in the minor leagues.
The paid leave for Ortiz, which ends at the conclusion of the All-Star break, was negotiated between the league and the MLB Players Association. If the investigation remains open, the leave could be extended.
Ortiz had been scheduled to start Thursday night's game against the Chicago Cubs.
"The Guardians have been notified that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation," the team said in a statement. "The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league's confidential investigative process."
A 26-year-old starting pitcher, Ortiz was acquired by Cleveland from the Pittsburgh Pirates over the winter as part of the three-team trade in which the Guardians sent second baseman Andres Gimenez to the Toronto Blue Jays. With a 4-9 record and 4.36 ERA, Ortiz has been a staple in a Guardians rotation whose 4.13 ERA ranks 18th in MLB.
Ortiz's leave comes amid a slide for the Guardians, who have lost six consecutive games to drop to 40-44. While Cleveland remains in second place in the American League Central, it trails first-place Detroit by 12½ games.
Ortiz signed with the Pirates in 2018 at 19 years old, far later than the typical prospect, and didn't reach full-season ball until 2021. He quickly shot through the Pittsburgh organization and debuted in 2022, eventually throwing 238? innings and posting a 3.93 ERA in his three seasons with the Pirates.
I doubt Ortiz attempted to rig anything.....he probably didn't even bet games he pitched......no pitcher would intentionally pitch badly to win a small baseball bet....and he couldn't assure a win even pitching poorly.....stupid to consider really.....and if he bet a few bucks on his team to win...who cares ? But most likely he bet other games around league....for small money..like millions enjoy doing.....just not smart with the rules being what they are for players....could cost him career and millions of dollars
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