Luis Ortiz Placed on Leave: MLB Gambling Investigation Rocks Guardians Rotation

By Oliver Wiener July 04, 2025 07:39

The Cleveland Guardians were rocked on July 3, 2025, when right-hander Luis Ortiz was placed on paid administrative leave amid a Major League Baseball gambling investigation. The decision came just hours before Ortiz was slated to start against the Chicago Cubs, sending shockwaves through the Guardians’ rotation and raising serious questions about the integrity of the game.

MLB’s investigation centers on unusual betting activity linked to two specific pitches Ortiz threw in June. According to reports from ESPN and The Athletic, a betting-integrity firm, IC360, flagged suspicious wagers on Ortiz’s first pitches in innings during games on June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Both pitches were sliders that missed the strike zone significantly, prompting alerts to sportsbooks in Ohio, New York, and New Jersey. The wagers focused on whether the first pitch would be a ball or hit batsman, a type of microbet that has grown in popularity but also raised concerns about potential manipulation.

In the June 15 game, Ortiz’s first pitch of the second inning to Randy Arozarena was a low slider well outside the strike zone, leading to a walk and a four-run inning for Seattle. On June 27, his first pitch of the third inning against Pedro Pagés bounced in front of the batter and reached the backstop, after which Pagés hit a home run, contributing to a three-run inning for St. Louis. These incidents triggered MLB’s investigation into whether Ortiz’s pitching was influenced by gambling interests.

The Guardians released a statement confirming Ortiz’s leave, noting it was “in accordance with an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation.” The team declined further comment, respecting the confidential nature of the probe. MLB described the leave as “non-disciplinary paid leave” through the All-Star break, with the possibility of extension depending on the investigation’s progress.

Ortiz, 26, was acquired by Cleveland in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates and has been a key component of the Guardians’ rotation. This season, he holds a 4-9 record with a 4.36 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP, and 96 strikeouts in 88⅔ innings. His departure leaves a significant hole in a rotation already struggling to maintain consistency, with the Guardians currently 40-44 and trailing the AL Central leader by 12½ games.

MLB’s gambling policy prohibits players from betting on baseball or softball at any level, a stance underscored by recent high-profile disciplinary actions. Last year, infielder Tucupita Marcano was permanently banned for wagering on games involving his own team. Four other players received one-year suspensions for betting on baseball games in which they were not personally involved. The league has also taken action against umpire Pat Hoberg, who was fired for sharing a betting account with a friend who wagered on baseball.

Guardians manager Brian Snitker expressed disappointment but emphasized the importance of due process. “We support the league’s investigation and the integrity of the game above all else,” Snitker said. “Luis is a valued teammate, and we hope for clarity soon.”

Ortiz’s leave comes at a critical juncture for Cleveland, which has lost six straight games and faces a challenging path to the postseason. The team has called up Joey Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus to fill Ortiz’s spot in the rotation temporarily.

As MLB continues its investigation, the Ortiz case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges baseball faces in policing gambling-related activities. The league’s swift action reflects its commitment to maintaining the sport’s integrity, but the Guardians and their fans now confront uncertainty about the future of one of their key pitchers.

The unfolding situation will be closely watched across baseball, as the league balances transparency, fairness, and the preservation of trust in the game. Ortiz’s case may well become a defining moment in MLB’s ongoing battle against gambling-related misconduct.