Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on paid non-disciplinary leave as Major League Baseball investigates sports betting concerns. Clase, a three-time All-Star, is the second Guardians pitcher to be put on leave in connection with a sports gambling probe, joining Luis Ortiz, who remains on leave through August 31. It is unclear if the two cases are connected.
Clase, 27, has a 5-3 record with 24 saves in 48 games this season but carries a career-high 3.23 ERA. He led the American League in saves for the past three years and was considered a potential trade candidate ahead of the MLB trade deadline. MLB confirmed Clase’s leave follows an agreement with the players’ union as the league continues its investigation, declining further comment. The Guardians, currently second in the AL Central with a 52-53 record, were set to start a three-game series against Colorado. Ortiz’s investigation focuses on unusual betting activity tied to two pitches during his starts in June, flagged by a betting-integrity firm and reported to MLB. The league’s crackdown follows suspensions of five players earlier this year for gambling violations and the firing of umpire Pat Hoberg over illegal gambling-related conduct.