In a significant shake-up, the Washington Nationals have parted ways with General Manager Mike Rizzo and Manager Davey Martinez, the architect of their 2019 World Series championship. This decision comes amid a dismal season, with the Nationals currently languishing at the bottom of the NL East.

In the MLB, pitcher Luis Ortiz of the Guardians is under investigation for potential illegal gambling activities after his recent pitches raised flags with a betting integrity firm. Meanwhile, in the NBA, veteran Chris Paul, now 40, has hinted at playing for at least another year, though he acknowledges the end is near.

The WNBA has announced its All-Star Game roster, featuring three rookies, a first since 2011. As the sports landscape shifts, these developments underscore the evolving dynamics in both leagues.

The Seattle Mariners are currently embroiled in a significant gambling investigation by Major League Baseball, sparked by incidents involving Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz. On June 15, during a game against the Mariners, Ortiz's first pitch in the bottom of the second inning was flagged for its notable betting activity, which saw wagers placed on whether it would be a ball or hit batsman. The pitch was a slider that missed the strike zone markedly, leading to alerts from a betting-integrity firm.

This type of betting, known as microbetting, is increasingly popular, especially in states like Ohio, New York, and New Jersey, where betting on specific outcomes such as first pitches is permitted. Further scrutiny has been placed on Ortiz following another similar incident on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. As a precautionary measure during the investigation, Ortiz has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the All-Star Break.

The Cleveland Guardians have placed pitcher Luis Ortiz on paid leave amid a gambling investigation by Major League Baseball (MLB). Ortiz, who was set to start against the Chicago Cubs, will be absent through July 18 as the league looks into allegations involving gambling activities. The Guardians issued a statement confirming they are complying with the investigation and cannot provide further comment. This incident follows previous cases where players faced severe penalties for gambling, highlighting the growing concerns around betting practices in professional sports.

MLB has put Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz on nondisciplinary paid leave as part of an ongoing investigation. The Guardians have refrained from commenting on the situation. Meanwhile, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw joined the exclusive club of pitchers who have struck out 3,000 batters, achieving the milestone during a recent game against the Blue Jays, ultimately leading to a walk-off victory for Los Angeles.

In other sports news, the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota was reported following a car crash in Spain, sparking condolences across the soccer community. In tennis, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka continued their successful Wimbledon campaigns, while American Frances Tiafoe faced an unexpected defeat. The NHL announced that players will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Olympics for the first time in over a decade, adding excitement to the 2026 Winter Games.

Cleveland Guardians' starting pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on paid leave due to an ongoing investigation by Major League Baseball related to gambling. The team announced that Ortiz, who was scheduled to pitch against the Cubs, will be replaced by Joey Cantillo. MLB's investigation follows rules prohibiting players from betting on baseball at any level. Ortiz's current season stats stand at 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts over 88 ⅔ innings, as the Guardians currently sit 14 games behind in the AL Central but only four games back from a wild-card spot.