Guardians' Luis Ortiz Subject Of MLB Gambling Investigation, Placed
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz is the subject of a Big league Baseball gambling investigation and was put on non-disciplinary leave Thursday, two people with understanding of the examination informed The Associated Press.
Individuals spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the nature of the examination.
The investigation relates to in-game prop bets on 2 pitches thrown by Ortiz that got higher activity than normal throughout his starts at Seattle on June 15 and his current outing versus St. Louis on June 27. The betting activity on the pitches was flagged by a betting-integrity firm and forwarded to MLB.
ESPN reported the company IC360 recently likewise sent an alert to sportsbook operators regarding Ortiz.
The Athletic was the first to report that Ortiz's suspension was associated with gambling.
MLB stated Ortiz's paid leave is through completion of the All-Star break, when players go back to their groups July 17 and games resume the following day. It can be extended if the investigation remains continuous.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis L. Ortiz tosses toddler he Athletics during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 21, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Chris Antonetti, Cleveland ´ s president of baseball operations, said before Thursday night's game at the Chicago Cubs that the team can continue to have contact with Ortiz, but he can't go into any of the Guardians' facilities. Ortiz went back to Cleveland on Wednesday night.
Ortiz was slated to be the beginning pitcher for Thursday night ´ s series ending. Instead, left-hander Joey was remembered from Triple-A Columbus. Cantillo is 1-0 with one save and a 3.81 ERA in 21 looks this season.
"We learned really little last night, however knew we required to get somebody here today to start today ´ s video game, and that truly was our focus," Antonetti stated. "A lot has actually come out today, which ´ s far more information than we have.
"Our focus is we ´ ll let the investigative procedure play out. To the degree Big league Baseball or anyone needs our assistance because, we will obviously work together. But beyond that, there ´ s truly very little we can do."
Manager Stephen Vogt said he and Antonetti resolved the group about Ortiz's scenario and attempted to answer questions the best they could.
It is another obstacle for a Guardians team that has actually dropped a season-high six straight games and is 9-18 because May 1.
"Honestly, when I got the news yesterday I didn ´ t know how to feel," Vogt said. "There ´ s a lot unknowns with this, but you know what? Every team goes through misfortune, maybe various kinds, but this is a resilient group. I ´ ve been through situations similar to this before in my profession as a player, and what would I have wished to hear? How would I want the manager to have actually reacted, which ´ s what I ´ m attempting to do."
The 26-year old Ortiz remains in his first season with Cleveland after he was acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh last December. The right-hander is 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 16 starts this season. The nine losses are tied for the most in the American League.
In four big-league seasons, Ortiz is 16-22 with a 4.05 ERA and one save.
The examination into Ortiz comes a bit more than a year after MLB suspended 5 gamers for gaming, including a life time restriction for San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano. MLB stated Marcano placed 387 baseball bets totaling more than $150,000 with a legal sportsbook in 2022 and 2023.
Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and 3 small leaguers - San Diego pitcher Jay Groome, Arizona pitcher and Philadelphia infielder José Rodríguez - received 1 year suspensions.
Umpire Pat Hoberg was fired by Major League Baseball in February for sharing his legal sports gambling accounts with a pal who wagered on baseball video games and for deliberately deleting electronic messages relevant to the league ´ s examination.
Freelance author Matt Carlson in Chicago contributed to this report.