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.