Guardians Pitcher Emmanuel Clase Put on Leave as MLB Sports Betting Investigation Continues
Posted on: July 28, 2025, 01:43h.
Last updated on: July 28, 2025, 02:04h.
- All-star closer Emmanuel Clase has been the subject of trade rumors
- Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by MLB
- He’s the second Cleveland Guardians player to be placed on leave after an MLB sports betting investigation
Major League Baseball is placing another player on leave as it conducts a sports betting investigation, according to reporting by ESPN.
This time it’s Cleveland Guardians’ closer Emmanuel Clase, who has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by MLB as part of a sports betting investigation. He’s the second Guardians player placed on leave by MLB.
In July, pitcher Luis Ortiz had to leave the team over gambling allegations. According to reporting, flags came up around Ortiz after a league investigation into in-game prop betting where two pitches by Ortiz received higher betting activity than usual during starts on June 15 and June 18.
Second Guardians Player Placed on Leave
The Guardians released a statement on the Clase situation on Monday:
The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that as part of their sports betting investigation, Emmanual Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave per an agreement with the Players Association. We have been informed that no additional players or Club personnel are expected to be impacted. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate.”
Clase is an elite closer and a Cy Young Award finalist for Cleveland in 2024, with a 0.61 ERA and 47 saves in 74.1 innings of work. He’s a three-time all-star who led the American League in saves in each of the past three seasons.
Guardians Issue Statement
Clase, 27, had 24 saves this season for the Guardians. He’d been the subject of trade rumors leading up to Monday’s announcement. He has an appealing contract, which kicks up to US$6.4 million next season. There is team control through 2028, and US$10 million club options in 2027 and 2028. That in part had made him sought after on the trade market.
Last July, MLB suspended five players for gambling, led by a lifetime ban for Tucupita Marcano, an infielder with the San Diego Padres. In its decision, MLB said Marcano had placed 387 baseball bets totalling more than $150K with a legal sportsbook in 2022 and 2023.
Michael Kelly of the Oakland Athletics, Jay Groome of the Padres, Andrew Sallfrank of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Jose Rodriguez all received one-year gambling-related suspensions.
Last Comment ( 1 )
The commissioner is a bold face liar when he said MLB never wanted multi state gambling. MLB promotes it with commercials and picks by loser announcers. All about money, not the game. Regardless MLB is boring unless you bet on it. Fan base is dying.