Investigation into gambling-related matter ongoing, as Ohio's regulatory body collaborates with Major League Baseball regarding the Cleveland Guardians
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, are currently on non-disciplinary paid leave as Major League Baseball (MLB) investigates suspicious sports wagering activity related to unusual betting patterns on specific pitches they threw.
The investigation was triggered by alerts from IC360, a betting-integrity monitoring firm, which noted spikes in wagers on Ortiz’s first pitch of innings being a ball or hitting the batter—actions that coincided with actual balls thrown well outside the strike zone. These bets originated from states including Ohio, New York, and New Jersey. Clase was later implicated, though the exact nature of his involvement is less clear.
The investigation began in June 2025, and both pitchers remain on leave through at least August 31, 2025. So far, no evidence has been found linking other Guardians players or personnel to the gambling probe.
Governor Mike DeWine has expressed concern about the integrity of sports gambling in Ohio, stating that the evidence of harm to athletics in the state due to prop betting is reaching critical mass. He has asked for a ban on player-specific micro bets, citing the challenges that leagues and regulators face in monitoring and preserving fair play as sports betting expands.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission is also investigating the case, having been notified by an Ohio licensed sportsbook and contacted by MLB on June 30. The commission conducted an independent investigation in 2023 regarding suspicious wagering activity, and the next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20.
The investigation into Clase and Ortiz involves unusual betting activity on individual pitches, and its outcome could lead to tighter controls on betting markets and monitoring practices going forward. This case underscores the challenges that leagues and regulators face in ensuring the integrity of sports as sports betting expands.
[1] Bleacher Report
[2] Cleveland.com
[3] ESPN
Read also:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
