• Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase placed on non-disciplinary paid leave.
• The leave is part of an MLB investigation into sports betting activities.
• Another pitcher, Luis Ortiz, is also under similar leave until August 31.
• MLB emphasizes that no additional players or staff are implicated in the investigation.
• Clase is a three-time All-Star with 24 saves this season.

Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of an ongoing investigation by Major League Baseball (MLB) regarding sports betting activities. This decision follows the similar leave of pitcher Luis Ortiz, who was placed on leave on July 3, 2025. Both players will remain unable to pitch until at least August 31, 2025, according to announcements by MLB and the Guardians organization. The team has received information that "no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted" by the investigation, ensuring the focus remains solely on Clase and Ortiz, according to HuffPost, SFGate, and Reuters.

This situation arises as MLB continues to probe activities surrounding sports betting, following the league's crackdown on player engagement in gambling. Clase's performance has been noteworthy, going 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA and leading the MLB with 24 saves this season. His absence may significantly impact the Guardians, who are currently positioned second in the AL Central with a 52-53 record, according to India Times and AP.

The investigation reportedly also covers Ortiz's situation, which involves in-game prop bets related to two pitches he threw during games that caught higher-than-usual betting activity. The integrity firm flagged the pitches during Ortiz's starts in June against the Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals. This investigation follows earlier MLB suspensions of several players regarding gambling infractions, highlighting the league's intensified focus on maintaining integrity, as noted by HuffPost and Reuters.

MLB's communication emphasizes that the leave for Clase and Ortiz does not imply disciplinary action, but rather a step taken in light of ongoing investigations into gambling-related activities. The league aims to reinforce the strict rules prohibiting players from wagering on baseball games, a significant concern as sports betting continues to expand across the United States, according to SFGate and India Times.