Investigations into betting allegations involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers are underway in Ohio by MLB authorities.
In a surprising turn of events, pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians are currently on non-disciplinary paid leave due to an ongoing MLB investigation into suspicious sports gambling activity linked to their pitching. Ortiz was initially placed on leave on July 3, with Clase added on July 28, with both leaves extended through August 31 as of late July 2025[1].
The investigation was prompted by unusual wagering patterns detected on specific pitches thrown by Ortiz during games on June 15 and June 27. Betting monitoring firm IC360 flagged abrupt surges in bets on those pitches being balls or hit by pitch, with wagers coming from accounts in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. Both pitches were outside the strike zone, which raised concerns[1].
Clase’s exact connection to the suspicious wagering remains unclear, but he became involved in the inquiry shortly after Ortiz[1]. The Cleveland Guardians organization stated no additional players or personnel beyond these two pitchers are expected to be implicated[1]. There is no public record of Ohio Casino Control Commission's direct actions or progress in this matter as of the latest reports; the investigation appears primarily driven by MLB and betting monitoring firms[1].
This is not the first time the state of Ohio has been embroiled in a sports betting scandal. Two years ago, the OCCC took similar action during an irregular betting scandal targeting the University of Alabama's baseball team[3].
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has expressed concerns about the harm prop betting is causing to athletics in the state. He believes that the evidence of harm has reached "critical mass" and has asked the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) to eliminate prop bets from the state's legal betting offerings[2]. However, prop bets on professional athletes, such as those involving the Cleveland Guardians, still remain allowed in Ohio.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has also expressed concerns related to this investigation[2]. The OCCC's investigation focuses on two specific pitches thrown by Luis Ortiz, one during his June 15 start in Seattle and another in his June 27 outing against St. Louis, as they reportedly triggered unusually high betting activity[3].
The OCCC is scheduled to hold its next public meeting on August 20[1]. As the investigation continues, more updates are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
[1] Ohio Casino Control Commission (2025). Statement on Investigation into Cleveland Guardians Pitchers. Retrieved from https://occ.ohio.gov/news/statement-on-investigation-into-cleveland-guardians-pitchers
[2] DeWine, M. (2025, July 31). Governor DeWine's Statement on Sports Betting. Retrieved from https://governor.ohio.gov/newsroom/governor-dewines-statement-on-sports-betting
[3] Ohio Casino Control Commission (2023). Statement on University of Alabama Baseball Scandal. Retrieved from https://occ.ohio.gov/news/statement-on-university-of-alabama-baseball-scandal
- The MLB investigation into suspicious sports gambling activity linked to the Cleveland Guardians' pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz has raised concerns about sports betting, with betting monitoring firm IC360 flagging unusual wagering patterns on specific pitches.
- Governor Mike DeWine has expressed concerns about the harm prop betting is causing to athletics in Ohio, believing that the evidence of harm has reached "critical mass" and asking the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) to eliminate prop bets from the state's legal betting offerings.
- The OCCC's investigation focuses on two specific pitches thrown by Luis Ortiz, one during his June 15 start in Seattle and another in his June 27 outing against St. Louis, as they reportedly triggered unusually high betting activity.
- Major League Baseball (MLB) has also shown interest in this investigation, as it is not the first sports betting scandal in Ohio – the OCCC took similar action two years ago during an irregular betting scandal targeting the University of Alabama's baseball team.
