Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz will remain benched indefinitely as MLB's betting investigation continues. The league confirmed both players will stay on non-disciplinary paid leave "until further notice," with no additional details expected until the probe concludes.
Key Takeaways
- Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are on non-disciplinary paid leave
- Ortiz's leave stems from reportedly flagged wagers on two first-pitch outcomes in June games
- Clase was later implicated under similar scrutiny
Ortiz was first placed on leave on July 3 after a betting-integrity company reportedly flagged unusual wagers on two pitches he threw in June. The flagged bets involved whether his first pitch of an inning would result in a ball or a hit batter, with both instances ending in pitches outside the strike zone.
Clase, Cleveland's closer and a three-time All-Star, was placed on leave on July 28 following similar scrutiny.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) is conducting its own review alongside MLB. The developments come after last year's high-profile gambling punishments, including Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano's lifetime ban and several one-year suspensions across the league.
Ohio considers new restrictions on prop bets
The Guardians' situation has intensified a wider debate in Ohio about sports betting regulation. The OCCC is drafting a rule that would restrict player-specific prop bets, following pressure from Gov. Mike DeWine, who argued that prop betting is a "failed experiment."
It is currently at its first stage and has not yet endured a public hearing and provision of a 30-day notice before it can take effect. It shall then be published within the Register of Ohio if implemented.
The initiative has generated pushback from lawmakers who are of the opinion that prop bets bring meaningful tax income. Representative Brian Stewart has been vocal about opposition to the proposed ban, noting that Ohioans voted to enable legal sports betting and adults should enjoy the freedom of making such bets.
Ohio sports betting currently has bans on prop bets on college games, joining 16 other states.
Red Sox pitcher raises player safety concerns over betting
Concerns over betting's impact on athletes are also being raised beyond Cleveland.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito has publicly called out MLB commissioner Rob Manfred about online harassment when it comes to sports betting.
On the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, the 31-year-old said abusive direct messages are regular occurrences and often come from frustrated gamblers. Giolito described the encounter at the players' dinner of the Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies with Manfred and encapsulated the greater threat of expanded legalized sports betting.
The 2019 All-Star said that venom online is received no matter what he does on the field. "The threats when a player doesn’t perform well – threats to their family, threats to their life – it’s getting very tiring. I worry for guys that are maybe new to the league and aren’t ready for something like that," Giolito added.
