Guardians Closer Emmanuel Clase On Leave Over Gambling Probe

Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, on Monday, was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31 as part of Major League Baseball’s investigation into sports gambling, the second Guardians pitcher to be caught up in the inquiry.

Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz remains on non-disciplinary paid leave after originally being placed there on July 3 after unusual gambling activity on two pitches he threw for balls, sources told ESPN. Ortiz’s leave was later extended to August 31.

In a statement, the Guardians said, “No additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted” by the investigation. The investigation, a source confirmed, has not turned up information tying other players with the team to sports gambling.

“I’m not happy. This stinks,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said before Monday night’s 8-6 loss to lowly Colorado. “It’s a different part of our game now because it’s legal. Two of our guys are being investigated, and it hurts. It’s an unfortunate situation.”

The 27-year-old is a three-time All-Star and two-time winner of the Mariano Rivera Award as the best relief pitcher in the American League. He finished third in the AL Cy Young voting last year when he posted a 0.61 ERA over 74⅓ innings. In 47⅓ innings this season, Clase has a 3.23 ERA and has already allowed more hits this year (46) than last (39) while striking out 47 and walking 12.

His ties to the investigation that started following a June 27 alert from IC360, a firm that monitors betting markets for abnormalities, are unclear. Sportsbooks and gambling operators were alerted after a spike in action on Ortiz’s first pitch in the bottom of the second inning against the Seattle Mariners on June 15 and in the top of the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 27, according to sources. In both cases, unusual amounts of money were wagered on the pitches being a ball or hit batsman from betting accounts in New York, New Jersey and Ohio, according to a copy of the IC360 alert obtained by ESPN. Both pitches wound up well outside the strike zone.

Chris Antonetti, the president of baseball operations for the Guardians, said he was informed of the situation involving Clase on Sunday. He met with his coaching staff and the players before the series opener against the Rockies.

“You’re shocked, you’re upset, you’re frustrated. But I thought our guys, they did fine,” Vogt said. “It was a long day for our guys, for everybody. So we’re ready to get here tomorrow and get back after it.”