MLB Places Guardians’ Clase and Ortiz on Unpaid Leave Amid Scandal

In a significant development, Major League Baseball has placed Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on unpaid leave as they navigate the complexities of a pitch-fixing scandal. This decision comes after both players had already been on paid leave since July, and it underscores the gravity of the situation surrounding their alleged involvement in manipulating game outcomes.

MLB issued a statement on Friday, clarifying that the move to maintain both players on non-disciplinary leave without pay is a mutual agreement with the MLB Players Association. The statement emphasized that this measure will remain in effect until further notice, as the legal proceedings against Clase and Ortiz continue to unfold.

Clase, 28, and Ortiz, 27, have not taken the mound since the second half of last season and were indicted on federal charges in early November. Their trial is scheduled for May 5, but delays are expected, potentially pushing it into the fall. The league’s statement added, “This agreement is not an admission of any wrongdoing by Clase or Ortiz,” highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The allegations against the pitchers are serious, with Clase accused of fixing at least 48 MLB games over two seasons, including postseason appearances. According to a February report from ESPN, both players allegedly accepted bribes totaling thousands of dollars to assist anonymous gamblers in the Dominican Republic, who reportedly won nearly $500,000 through microbetting on specific pitch outcomes.

Ortiz’s attorney has asserted that his client played a significantly lesser role compared to Clase, seeking to have their cases evaluated separately due to what he describes as “markedly different levels of culpability.” He pointed to the extensive nature of Clase’s alleged misconduct, which includes questionable pitching in 48 games, numerous communications with a bettor, and coordination of illegal wagers, arguing that Ortiz could face an unfair trial as a result.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.