The Cleveland Guardians have lost their best pitcher with the stretch run of the season fast approaching. Superstar closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by Major League Baseball through Sunday, Aug. 31, as part of an ongoing gambling investigation.
Who else is involved in the investigation?
Clase, whose name was also involved in a number of MLB rumors as the trade deadline approaches, is the second Guardians pitcher to be put on leave during the probe. Luis Ortiz was sidelined on July 3, and his leave was extended by the league through Aug. 31.
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The Guardians announced the Clase move in a statement on social media, saying, “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.”
MLB did not explain Clase’s ties to the investigation, which began June 27, when the league received an alert from a firm that monitors sportsbooks for abnormal betting activity, according to ESPN. The report stated that unusually high amounts of money were wagered on two pitches thrown by Ortiz in two separate games.
Why is Clase so valuable to the Guardians?
Clase, like Ortiz, is from the Dominican Republic. He’s led the American League in saves each of the last three seasons and has 182 over his six seasons in the majors. He finished third in AL Cy Young voting in 2024, with a 0.61 ERA. Manager Stephen Vogt was asked what Clase means to the team after their July 23 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
“Best closer in the world,” Vogt said. “I’ve said it all year, despite his start, despite his struggles at times early in the year. He’s just been lights out. Getting ahead, staying ahead, putting them away.”
What does this say about MLB and gambling?
MLB’s investigation adds a layer to the broader debate about gambling around baseball and player safety. Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. and his family were threatened on social media earlier this year after a man lost money on a bet.
The Astros hired security for McCullers and his family. Texas police identified the man, who apologized for making the threats. The investigation remains open while authorities consider charges.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito told the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast last week that he spoke with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred about the issue. Giolito said he’s been the target of social media anger from gamblers, no matter how well he pitches.
“I’m getting messages after every game,” Giolito said. “Even games where I pitch well, they’re mad at me because I hit the strikeout over instead of being under, or I was under instead of being over, like prop bets –– all these crazy things. And people put hundreds of dollars on it, and they don’t have a lot of money, but they’re gambling it anyway because it’s a disease. They freak out.”
He said access to players on social media, along with the legalization of sports betting, has exacerbated online harassment of players.
“Is it going to take a player getting assaulted in front of their apartment building by some disgruntled guy that lost a bet for real action to be taken?” Giolito said.
Where does the move leave the Guardians?
MLB has stated that it will not comment on the current gambling investigation until it is completed.
Meanwhile, the move comes at a crucial time for Clase and the Guardians. The 27-year-old is on a team-friendly contract worth just under $12 million over the next two seasons. He was one of the more popular trade candidates this month, with several contenders looking for bullpen help.
It’s been hard to determine if the Guardians will be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline on Thursday, July 31. They’re eight games behind the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers, but just three and a half games out of a wildcard spot.
While on leave, Clase and Ortiz are permitted contact with the organization, but are not allowed access to the team’s facilities.
