Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31st as part of Major League Baseball’s ongoing investigation into sports gambling. The stunning development makes Clase the second Guardians pitcher caught up in the league’s probe, dramatically altering Cleveland’s trade deadline strategy just days before Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET cutoff.

The 27-year-old All-Star joins teammate Luis Ortiz, who was placed on similar leave July 3rd after unusual betting activity was detected on two specific pitches he threw. MLB’s investigation began following alerts from IC360, a firm that monitors betting markets for irregularities.

“I’m not happy. This stinks. It’s a different part of our game now because it’s legal. Two of our guys are being investigated and it hurts.”

Trade Deadline Implications

Clase’s absence removes one of the deadline’s most coveted relievers from the market. The three-time All-Star and two-time Mariano Rivera Award winner was expected to command significant interest from contending teams seeking bullpen help.

His unavailability will likely drive up prices for remaining elite relievers. The Twins’ Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, Pirates’ David Bednar, and Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley now become even more valuable commodities as teams scramble for late-inning help.

Cleveland’s playoff hopes took a significant hit with the news. The Guardians entered Monday at 52-53, sitting 3.5 games behind the third wild-card spot. Without their shutdown closer, the team will employ a committee approach while potentially shifting from buyers to sellers at the deadline.

The Investigation Details

The probe centers on suspicious betting patterns detected by monitoring firms. In Ortiz’s case, unusual amounts of money were wagered on specific pitches being balls, with bets originating from accounts in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. Both flagged pitches ended up well outside the strike zone.

MLB’s Rule 21, posted in every clubhouse, states that any player who bets “any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”

The league has dealt with gambling violations before. Last year, Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban for betting on baseball, while four other players received one-year suspensions for betting on games not involving their teams.

Looking Ahead

Commissioner Rob Manfred recently expressed concerns about “microbets” on individual pitches, calling them “unnecessary and particularly vulnerable.” The transparency of legal gambling, he argued, puts baseball in a better position to protect game integrity than when betting operated in shadows.

For Cleveland, the immediate focus shifts to salvaging their season without two key pitchers. Cade Smith, who blew a save opportunity in Monday’s loss, exemplified the team’s sentiment: “He’s a part of the team. It sucks for him to be not here today.”

The Guardians organization stated that no additional players or personnel are expected to be impacted by the investigation. However, the timing couldn’t be worse for a team fighting for playoff positioning while navigating one of baseball’s most challenging situations in the modern era.

As the trade deadline approaches, Cleveland faces difficult decisions about their immediate future. What began as a potential buying opportunity has transformed into a sobering reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in professional sports.

The Cleveland Guardians were preparing to be active players at the MLB trade deadline — but their plans may have just fallen apart. Closer Emmanuel Clase, one of their most valuable trade assets, has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by Major League Baseball amid a growing gambling investigation.

Clase, a two-time Mariano Rivera Award winner and widely regarded as one of the game’s elite closers, was expected to draw significant interest from contenders. His team-friendly contract and dominant track record made him a centerpiece for a potential deadline deal. But with MLB’s decision, any trade discussions are now effectively frozen.

In a statement, the Guardians confirmed the league’s action and emphasized their cooperation: “The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that as part of their sports betting investigation, Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave per an agreement with the Players Association. … We will respect the league’s confidential investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate.”

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Clase joins growing list of players caught in betting investigations

Clase becomes the second Guardians pitcher to be sidelined by a gambling investigation in 2024. Luis Ortiz has been on paid leave since early July, also under suspicion of betting-related misconduct. While specific details regarding Clase’s case remain unclear, the Ortiz situation is already raising red flags about the integrity of certain in-game betting markets.

Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on July 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images)

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According to ESPN, Ortiz is under scrutiny for suspicious pitch outcomes on two separate dates that triggered betting alerts — specifically, the first pitch of the second inning on June 15 and the third inning on June 27. Both resulted in errant pitches, followed by offensive surges from the opposing teams.

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see also MLB Rumors: Dodgers among four teams reportedly interested in Guardians star player

MLB face mounting pressure over gambling oversight

Clase is now the highest-profile player entangled in a gambling controversy during the legalized betting era, highlighting a growing concern across professional sports. While previous investigations mostly involved minor leaguers or fringe players, Clase’s status as a star reliever underscores how serious the risks have become.

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SurveyHow should MLB handle gambling violations involving active players? How should MLB handle gambling violations involving active players? ALREADY VOTED 0 PEOPLE

The broader conversation now shifts to whether leagues — including MLB — need to reconsider the scope of bets allowed on micro-events like individual pitches. With similar scandals unfolding in the NBA, the balance between fan engagement and competitive integrity may require urgent recalibration.

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Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31 as part of an ongoing investigation by Major League Baseball into potential sports betting violations. The decision, announced Monday, marks Clase as the second pitcher on the Guardians’ roster currently sidelined due to the same probe.

MLB’s announcement came just days before the trade deadline, disrupting potential transactions involving Clase, one of the league’s top relief pitchers. The move follows a previous investigation into Cleveland starter Luis Ortiz, who was similarly placed on paid leave in early July. Ortiz’s leave was recently extended through the end of August.

According to the league’s statement: “Per an agreement with the MLBPA, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through games on August 31st while MLB continues its sports betting investigation. We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.”

The Guardians organization acknowledged MLB’s action with a public statement, emphasizing that no additional players or staff are expected to be involved in the inquiry and reiterating their cooperation with the league. “We have been informed that no additional players or Club personnel are expected to be impacted. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate.”

While the precise reasons for Clase’s inclusion in the investigation remain unclear, the broader gambling probe reportedly originated from suspicious betting activity on two pitches thrown by Ortiz during June games. Integrity firm IC360 flagged the wagers, which involved microbets on the outcome of first pitches—such as whether they would result in a ball or hit batsman. These bets were traced back to accounts in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio.

Clase’s Season and Future Now in Limbo

Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time recipient of the Mariano Rivera Award, has been a standout closer since joining Cleveland. This season, he has tallied 24 saves and a 3.23 ERA across 47 1/3 innings, despite a noticeable uptick in hits allowed compared to last year. His final appearance before being placed on leave came during Saturday’s doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, where he gave up three runs in one game but closed the second with a save.

The 27-year-old’s availability for a trade—previously a possibility as the Guardians considered roster adjustments while trailing in the American League Wild Card race—is now off the table, at least until the league concludes its review.

Manager Stephen Vogt shared his frustration with the situation: “I’m not happy. This stinks. It’s a different part of our game now because it’s legal. Two of our guys are being investigated and it hurts. It’s an unfortunate situation.”

The Guardians plan to rotate bullpen responsibilities among several pitchers in Clase’s absence. Left-hander Tim Herrin has been called up from Triple-A Columbus to help fill the gap. “He’s a part of the team,” reliever Cade Smith said. “It sucks for him to be not here today.”

MLB’s Broader Concerns with Microbetting

The use of microbetting markets—wagers on individual events like pitch outcomes—has raised alarm bells within the league’s leadership. While MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has voiced support for regulated sports betting in general, he has consistently expressed unease with these highly specific betting options.

“There are certain types of bets that strike me as unnecessary and particularly vulnerable,” Manfred said during the All-Star break. “Things where it’s one single act, doesn’t affect the outcome necessarily. We should continue to think about that: do we really need that last kind of bet?”

Manfred stressed that legalized sports betting, paired with robust monitoring, has helped improve transparency and integrity within the game. Nevertheless, the Clase and Ortiz situations have sparked debate over how vulnerable baseball may still be to influence through emerging betting practices.

Implications and What Comes Next

Both Clase and Ortiz are barred from accessing team facilities but are allowed to remain in contact with team personnel during their respective leaves. MLB rules prohibit players from betting on baseball or softball but allow betting on other sports. Violations carry serious consequences—ranging from season-long bans to lifetime suspensions, depending on the nature of the infraction. Former infielder Tucupita Marcano, for instance, received a lifetime ban in 2024 for betting on games involving his own team.

Cleveland, currently sitting just below .500 with a 52–53 record, is navigating the remainder of the season amid significant uncertainty. With two pitchers now out due to an active investigation, and no additional player movement expected before the trade deadline, the team’s playoff ambitions face yet another hurdle.

MLB has not provided a timeline for concluding the investigation. Until then, Clase remains sidelined, his immediate future—and potential disciplinary outcomes—undecided.

With Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase under investigation for baseball betting, fans that bet a combined $315,000 on him could be at risk of losing some or all of that investment.

Clase is the star attraction at Finlete, a San Diego company that offers fans the chance to invest in an athlete in exchange for a share of his future earnings.

The future earnings of Clase, 27, a three-time All-Star, could be influenced by Monday’s announcement that Major League Baseball had placed him on paid leave as part of what the league called a “sports betting investigation.” The sport in question is baseball, according to an official familiar with the probe but unauthorized to discuss it publicly.

In its offering statement, Finlete noted that Clase’s current contract extends through 2026 and guarantees him at least $13.3 million, if the Guardians decline a 2027 buyout. The Guardians hold an option for $10 million in 2027 and another for $10 million in 2028. Clase would be eligible for free agency if the Guardians decline either option, or after the option years have been exercised.

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However, if the league determines Clase had bet on any baseball game in which his team participated, he could be declared permanently ineligible. If the league determines he had bet on any other baseball games, he could be banned for one year.

On July 14, Finlete announced on Instagram that it had raised more than $315,000 from “hundreds of investors in Emmanuel Clase’s career.”

Rob Connolly, the co-founder of Finlete, said Monday that 282 investors had participated and that an August dividend would be “paid as scheduled.”

Under his agreement with Finlete, Clase has received more than $237,000 and owes the company “nearly 0.29% of his MLB salary,” Connolly said.

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“As it relates to dividends Finlete investors are entitled to from Clase’s MLB salary, he continues to receive his full 2025 salary while MLB conducts its investigation,” Connolly said. “We are closely monitoring the situation and we will keep our investors informed of any material developments.”

In its offering, beyond the boilerplate warning that investors should not invest money they could not afford to lose, Finlete cited injuries, illnesses and work stoppages among risks that could derail payments to investors.

Finlete also warned that players “suspended or banned” from the league “would not receive amounts under their existing player contract and may not be able to secure future playing contracts.”

In his Clase sales pitch, Connolly last year told Sportico: “Mariano Rivera was the best ever. And this guy’s in that conversation. So he’s got a full career in front of him. How the hell did we land this deal? It’s incredible.”

Finlete spelled that out in its offering: If you really want to make the big bucks as investors, Clase needs to sign a lucrative extension, or hit free agency and strike gold.

“The profitability of the Clase Agreement is substantially dependent on Mr. Clase entering into additional high-value MLB player contracts,” the offering read.

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On its homepage, Finlete highlights seven baseball players with which it has agreements, Clase included. The other six are in the minor leagues.

Connolly called the investigation an “unfortunate development” that would not deter Finlete from its business plan, which he said was “designed to democratize access to a financial side of the sports industry that was once inaccessible for most people.”

Said Connolly: “Our vision hasn’t changed: to bring fans closer to the game and to provide unique sports investment opportunities centered around trust, access, and connection. True investing is a long game, and we’re just getting started.”