MLB pitcher placed on non-disciplinary leave due to suspected gambling investigation
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz was officially placed on leave as of July 3, with MLB stating it would not comment further until the conclusion of the investigation.
Key Points
- In 2024, the professional baseball league handed San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano a lifetime suspension for betting on his own club
- Ortiz was part of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from 2022-2024, and it is currently unclear whether the investigation also involves his time with the franchise
Major League Baseball (MLB) has placed Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz on non-disciplinary paid leave for what many suspect is in regard to a gambling investigation being conducted by the league at the time of writing.
“The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation,” the Guardians said as part of a statement released on July 3.
“The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”
MLB would not confirm as to whether Ortiz is being investigated for gambling related purposes, nor if the possible violation was from his time spent with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from 2022-2024. The professional baseball league also said it would not provide further comment until the conclusion of the investigation.
In 2024, MLB handed San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano a lifetime suspension for betting on his own club, as well as one-year suspensions for four other players that had placed wagers on baseball.
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MLB umpire Pat Hoberg was also fired in early 2025 after the league discovered he shared sports betting accounts with a friend who had been betting on the sport.
Ortiz was scheduled to pitch on July 3 against the Chicago Cubs, but will now be out of action through July 17, according to MLB.
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