Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31 as part of an ongoing investigation by Major League Baseball into potential sports betting violations. The decision, announced Monday, marks Clase as the second pitcher on the Guardians’ roster currently sidelined due to the same probe.

MLB’s announcement came just days before the trade deadline, disrupting potential transactions involving Clase, one of the league’s top relief pitchers. The move follows a previous investigation into Cleveland starter Luis Ortiz, who was similarly placed on paid leave in early July. Ortiz’s leave was recently extended through the end of August.

According to the league’s statement: “Per an agreement with the MLBPA, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through games on August 31st while MLB continues its sports betting investigation. We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.”

The Guardians organization acknowledged MLB’s action with a public statement, emphasizing that no additional players or staff are expected to be involved in the inquiry and reiterating their cooperation with the league. “We have been informed that no additional players or Club personnel are expected to be impacted. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate.”

While the precise reasons for Clase’s inclusion in the investigation remain unclear, the broader gambling probe reportedly originated from suspicious betting activity on two pitches thrown by Ortiz during June games. Integrity firm IC360 flagged the wagers, which involved microbets on the outcome of first pitches—such as whether they would result in a ball or hit batsman. These bets were traced back to accounts in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio.

Clase’s Season and Future Now in Limbo

Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time recipient of the Mariano Rivera Award, has been a standout closer since joining Cleveland. This season, he has tallied 24 saves and a 3.23 ERA across 47 1/3 innings, despite a noticeable uptick in hits allowed compared to last year. His final appearance before being placed on leave came during Saturday’s doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, where he gave up three runs in one game but closed the second with a save.

The 27-year-old’s availability for a trade—previously a possibility as the Guardians considered roster adjustments while trailing in the American League Wild Card race—is now off the table, at least until the league concludes its review.

Manager Stephen Vogt shared his frustration with the situation: “I’m not happy. This stinks. It’s a different part of our game now because it’s legal. Two of our guys are being investigated and it hurts. It’s an unfortunate situation.”

The Guardians plan to rotate bullpen responsibilities among several pitchers in Clase’s absence. Left-hander Tim Herrin has been called up from Triple-A Columbus to help fill the gap. “He’s a part of the team,” reliever Cade Smith said. “It sucks for him to be not here today.”

MLB’s Broader Concerns with Microbetting

The use of microbetting markets—wagers on individual events like pitch outcomes—has raised alarm bells within the league’s leadership. While MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has voiced support for regulated sports betting in general, he has consistently expressed unease with these highly specific betting options.

“There are certain types of bets that strike me as unnecessary and particularly vulnerable,” Manfred said during the All-Star break. “Things where it’s one single act, doesn’t affect the outcome necessarily. We should continue to think about that: do we really need that last kind of bet?”

Manfred stressed that legalized sports betting, paired with robust monitoring, has helped improve transparency and integrity within the game. Nevertheless, the Clase and Ortiz situations have sparked debate over how vulnerable baseball may still be to influence through emerging betting practices.

Implications and What Comes Next

Both Clase and Ortiz are barred from accessing team facilities but are allowed to remain in contact with team personnel during their respective leaves. MLB rules prohibit players from betting on baseball or softball but allow betting on other sports. Violations carry serious consequences—ranging from season-long bans to lifetime suspensions, depending on the nature of the infraction. Former infielder Tucupita Marcano, for instance, received a lifetime ban in 2024 for betting on games involving his own team.

Cleveland, currently sitting just below .500 with a 52–53 record, is navigating the remainder of the season amid significant uncertainty. With two pitchers now out due to an active investigation, and no additional player movement expected before the trade deadline, the team’s playoff ambitions face yet another hurdle.

MLB has not provided a timeline for concluding the investigation. Until then, Clase remains sidelined, his immediate future—and potential disciplinary outcomes—undecided.