Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase involved in sports-betting investigation ahead of MLB trade deadline

MLB has reportedly placed Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31st. This comes as part of the league’s sports-betting investigation ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

Clase is the second Guardians pitcher to be placed on non-disciplinary leave amid the investigation. Luis Ortiz was placed on it at the start of July amid a gambling investigation. The team has since released a statement.

“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,” the team’s statement reads. “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.”

In the case of Ortiz, he was placed on leave for two specific pitches, which appeared to have been intentionally thrown as balls. His leave would be extended from its initial stretch as the MLB investigation into potential gambling concerns has continued.

The pitchers are permitted to have contact with the team. However, they are prohibited from visiting Progressive Field or any other Guardians facility. They had adjacent lockers in the Guardians’ clubhouse and have reportedly grown close during their time as teammates.

Emmanuel Clase is considered to be one of the best relief pitchers in baseball. From 2022 through 2024, he was an All-Star selection for three straight seasons. During that time, he led the American League in saves all three seasons. He was also named AL Reliever of the Year twice, including in 2024.

This season, Clase has seemed to struggle at times, compared to his standard. He has a 3.23 ERA with 24 saves. On top of that, he also has 47 strikeouts and 12 walks in 47.1 innings pitched. That’s against a 1.88 ERA and 182 career saves in six MLB seasons.

The timing of Clase being placed on non-disciplinary leave is difficult for Cleveland. The Guardians are 53-53 overall this season. That’s second in the AL Central, eight games behind the Detroit Tigers. It also puts them on the outside looking in at the Wild Card standings. They are currently 3.5 games out of the third Wild Card slot, behind four teams competing for that third slot.

Given their spot in the standings, many expected Cleveland to be sellers at the MLB deadline. However, with his move, the Guardians have lost one of their key pieces to potentially move on from when the deadline hits on July 31st.