Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were placed on nondisciplinary paid leave as MLB investigates potential gambling involvement in their games. The extension keeps them out beyond Aug. 31, with the possibility they miss the rest of the season as Cleveland fights for a wild-card spot. Cade Smith has taken over closer duties, testing Cleveland’s bullpen depth as the team clears lockers and assesses its finishing stretch amid a broader gambling crackdown in MLB.

Context surrounds a June 2024 sequence that saw five players suspended for gambling, including Tucupita Marcano. The Guardians’ situation compounds uncertainty around their relief corps and return timeline for Clase and Ortiz while the club remains in contention down the final weeks of the season.

Baseball’s latest gambling scandal centers on Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, both on nondisciplinary paid leave as MLB investigates unusual betting tied to Ortiz’s pitches. The MLBPA extended the leave while investigators pursue leads, focusing on ball/strike outcomes and pitch-by-pitch microbets.

The piece notes that microbets and prop wagers span sports, and contrasts MLB’s handling with other leagues’ information flow. For fantasy managers, the immediate question is how Guardians bullpen usage and saves opportunities shift as the case unfolds.

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz remain on nondisciplinary paid leave as MLB extends its gambling investigation, with an indefinite timeline that could stretch beyond the season’s end. Cleveland has moved to Cade Smith as closer, while bullpen depth becomes a growing concern for a team hanging around in the wild-card race. The probe follows earlier suspensions in 2024, heightening scrutiny around player actions in games and their impact on betting markets.

The saga also touches Ortiz’s background—acquired from Pittsburgh—and a broader landscape where the Padres’ Tucupita Marcano was previously banned in the gambling crackdown. For fantasy managers, the immediate risk is saves and rotation depth, with Cleveland’s bullpen shuffles likely to influence late-season bullpen usage and speculative pickups.

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz of Cleveland are on indefinite paid leave as MLB probes possible gambling ties to games they pitched. Ortiz’s leave began July 3; Clase joined July 28. The Guardians have cleared lockers, signaling an absence likely through September. Cade Smith has stepped in as closer as Cleveland hunts a playoff berth.

The piece recalls Tucupita Marcano’s 2024 gambling suspension and frames the investigation as part of a broader league issue, with Ortiz’s origin from Pittsburgh noted and the Guardians’ bullpen reshaped for a pennant chase.

Two Guardians pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, are on leave amid MLB gambling investigations, a heavy blow to Cleveland’s bullpen. Cade Smith has moved into the closer role in Clase’s absence, while Carlos Santana offers steady leadership from the clubhouse.

With the investigation dragging on, Cleveland’s 2025 playoff odds look dimmer and fantasy managers face volatile saves and bullpen roles. Smith’s opportunity is real, but long suspensions could force midseason reshuffles and late-callups, so monitor the Aug. 31 timeline and any extension.