The assigned space of Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase stood empty the day following Major League Baseball’s trading deadline, though not due to reasons initially anticipated the previous week.
Reports indicate that amidst ongoing inquiries into accusations of gambling, both Clase and fellow player Luis Ortiz were placed on administrative leave. Subsequently, the Guardians reportedly emptied their assigned spaces before Friday’s game, as reported by Zack Meisel of The Athletic.
While the precise cause for this action has not been publicly disclosed, it is worth noting that the Guardians have already participated in several home games following Clase’s temporary removal from the roster on Monday. Ortiz has also been on leave starting July 3. Reports indicate that the absence for both players has been extended to at least August 31.
Circumstances might have evolved discreetly, or possibly the Cleveland team opted to maintain distance within the clubhouse setting. Nonetheless, it presents a somewhat negative indication for enthusiasts aspiring to observe either player’s involvement during this season.
The timing of Clase’s leave was detrimental for the Guardians
Clase held the potential of becoming one of the most sought-after assets at the trading deadline, which featured a vibrant market for relief pitchers. Athletics pitcher Mason Miller, Minnesota Twins pitcher Jhoan Duran, and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher David Bednar were each exchanged for notable acquisitions, with the possibility of Clase commanding a greater return than any of them.
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With uncertainty surrounding his prospects, Cleveland was compelled to retain Clase’s services. Holding a 54-54 win-loss record and facing challenging playoff prospects, the team proceeded to trade away former Cy Young Award recipient Shane Bieber and experienced relief pitcher Paul Sewald.
Clase, a three-time All-Star, has accumulated 181 saves across five seasons with the Guardians, boasting a career earned run average of 1.88. He remains under contract for the 2026 season at a salary of $6.4 million, complemented by team options of $10 million each for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Previously, he was suspended for the abbreviated 2020 season due to testing positive for Boldenone, a prohibited performance-enhancing substance.
What’s the situation with Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz?
The specific accusations levied against Clase are still unclear, with the Guardians only mentioning his absence relates to Major League Baseball’s inquiry into sports wagering.
More comprehensive specifics are accessible regarding Ortiz, where suspicions arose over two of his pitches from June, attracting attention due to unusual betting patterns. The initial occurrence transpired on June 15, when an irregular sum of money was wagered on Ortiz potentially throwing a ball or hitting a batter with his initial pitch during the second inning (a permissible betting option). The specific pitch in question ultimately veered into the ground.
On June 27, there were claims of questionable activities surrounding Ortiz’s initial pitch in the third inning, which landed significantly outside the designated strike zone.
Currently, MLB is undertaking an inquiry involving both players, and it may take a while before any judgment is issued. The matter has gained sufficient prominence that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has formally requested that the Ohio Casino Control Commission eliminate such proposition bets from the state’s sanctioned sportsbooks.
Comparable instances have occurred in other athletic domains, notably the NBA’s Jontay Porter issue, which resulted in the former Toronto Raptors forward facing a lifetime suspension from the league and subsequently entering a guilty plea to a felony accusation of wire fraud.
Should either Guardians player be found culpable of analogous actions, they would similarly confront a lifetime ban as dictated by Rule 21 of the MLB rulebook.
