MLB has placed Luis Ortiz on paid leave amidst an investigation into the Guardians pitcher.
ESPN's Jeff Passan, who first reported the news on Thursday morning, initially said that the league didn't reveal the reasoning for the action. However, Passan later confirmed that the league is investigating Ortiz for "gambling activities."
Ortiz, who is a 26-year-old starting pitcher, was set to start on Thursday night against the Cubs but will now be sidelined at least through the All-Star break. He is currently in his fourth MLB season and first with the Guardians.
Here's the latest on Ortiz's paid leave.
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Luis Ortiz gambling investigation details
MLB announced on Thursday that it was putting Luis Ortiz on non-disciplinary paid leave, beginning immediately, without saying the purpose of the leave. The Guardians released a statement acknowledging MLB's decision but did not say much more.
"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 statement said. "The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league's confidential investigative process."
Later in the day, the Ken Rosenthal and Zack Meisel reported that the investigation is for gambling and that Ortiz will be out at least through the All-Star break. Neither the report nor the league gave more information beyond that.
Passan later reported that Ortiz is under investigation for two specific pitches that resulted in higher-than-usual gambling activity.
First was for a pitch that Ortiz threw to start the second inning on June 15 against the Mariners, which saw betting action to be a ball or hit batter and resulted in a slider for a ball. Next was Ortiz's first pitch in the third inning on June 27 against the Cardinals, which also saw bets to be a ball or hit batter and resulted in a slider for a ball.
Here's a look at the two pitches:
Those pitches alerted heightened action in Ohio, New York and New Jersey, according to Passan, as microbets.
Passan went on the Pat McAfee Show to discuss the situation, and he bluntly laid out MLB's predicament in today's world.
"In Major League Baseball there is one rule and that rule is very simple, do not bet on baseball and if you do bet on baseball you face a lifetime ban," he said. "The sports just leave opportunity for corruption to happen...This is a real problem for the integrity of the game."
"In Major League Baseball there is one rule and that rule is very simple...
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 3, 2025
Do not bet on baseball and if you do bet on baseball you face a lifetime ban..
This is a real problem for the integrity of the game"@JeffPassan #PMSLive https://t.co/g5BccJv242 pic.twitter.com/EITlUIdMG7
On July 18, MLB announced that Ortiz's leave-of-absence was extended through August 31 as the investigation continues.
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Luis Ortiz contract
Ortiz is currently playing on a one-year deal worth $782,600, according to Spotrac, but he is currently in pre-arbitration and under Cleveland control for the next four seasons.
MLB gambling policy
According to Major League Baseball, there are multiple punishments for gambling depending on the severity of the infraction:
- Players, umpires or club officials who bet on games in which they aren't a participant will be suspended for a year.
- Players, umpires or club officials who bet on games in which they are a participant will be banned for life.
- Players, umpires or club officials who bet using illegal bookmakers or agents are subject to punishment at the commissioner's discretion.
- Players, umpires or club officials who run or work for an illegal bookmaker or agent will be suspended at least one year.
MORE: Why MLB hit king Pete Rose was banned for betting on baseball
MLB players suspended for gambling
MLB has a long history of gambling-related issues dating back to the Black Sox scandal in 1919 and including Pete Rose's controversial lifetime ban that was only recently overturned.
Last year, MLB suspended five players for violating the league's gambling policy. The most notable was Tucupita Marcano, who was suspended for life for his violation. Additionally, minor leaguers Andrew Saalfrank, Jay Groome, Michael Kelly and Jose Rodriguez were given one-year suspensions for their violations, and all four of those players were reinstated last month.
Finally, earlier this season, MLB announced that umpire Pat Hoberg was fired for his involvement in a sports betting scandal.
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