The Cleveland Guardians received an important update on Major League Baseball’s gambling investigation into Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on Sunday, August 31st.
MLB announced that both Clase and Ortiz’s administrative leave would be extended until further notice, indicating that both are likely done for the remainder of the 2025 MLB season, with their future in jeopardy as well.
Amid their announcement, the Guardians released a statement on the extended administrative leave for Clase and Ortiz.
Guardians Statement on MLB’s Update on Clase, Ortiz
“MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to extend the non-disciplinary paid leave of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz until further notice while MLB continues its investigation.”
“We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.”
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 31, 2025
This statement from the Guardian reveals a few key details. Not only is the paid leave for both Clase and Ortiz extended as MLB continues its investigation, but the Guardians won’t make another comment until the investigation concludes.
Ortiz was placed on leave amid his investigation in early July, while Clase was placed on administrative leave just a few days before the MLB trade deadline.
Clase was the subject of trade rumors, and with a few of the top relievers available being dealt, the Guardinas likely could’ve received a strong deal for him if he could’ve been traded.
They also might’ve kept him, as evidenced by the Guardians holding onto Steven Kwan despite receiving significant trade interest at the deadline. But, instead of having that option, Clase was placed on leave.
MORE: Guardians’ 2021 decision coming back to haunt them amid losing skid
Before being placed on leave, Clase had a 3.23 ERA and 24 saves in 48 games in 2025. A year prior, he had a 0.61 ERA in 74 games with an AL-best 47 saves. He was also third-place in AL Cy Young voting.
Ortiz had a 4.36 ERA in 16 games with a 4-9 record. He had a 3.32 ERA in 2024 across 37 games, including 15 starts, with a 7-6 record.
Losing both stung for the Guardians, and after MLB’s announcement Sunday, the Guardians released a statement saying they won’t comment on the investigation until it concludes.
Until Major League Baseball wraps up its investigation into Clae and Ortiz, both will be on leave and unable to pitch for the Guardians.
MORE MLB NEWS:
