Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, one of the top bullpen arms rumored to be available at this year’s MLB trade deadline, was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31. The leave comes as Major League Baseball investigates his involvement in sports betting, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Clase, a three-time All-Star, was widely linked to the New York Yankees, who have been pursuing top bullpen options ahead of the trade deadline. However, with the investigation now underway, Clase is no longer a trade option for any team.
The MLB announced that Clase was placed on leave as part of an agreement with the MLB Players Association, and added that the investigation is ongoing. No further details or allegations were released regarding specific incidents involving Clase.
- Emmanuel Clase was placed on paid leave through August 31 while MLB investigates him for possible involvement in sports betting.
- Luis Ortiz was placed on leave on July 3 after two of his pitches in June drew unusual betting activity flagged by a betting-integrity firm.
- MLB banned Tucupita Marcano for life and suspended four other players and one umpire in 2024 for gambling violations.
Luis Ortiz Also Under Investigation for Sports Gambling
Emmanuel Clase is the second Cleveland Guardians pitcher to be placed on non-disciplinary paid leave for issues related to a sports betting investigation. Right-hander Luis Ortiz was first placed on leave on July 3, and his leave was also extended through August 31, according to MLB.
While no public link has been established between Clase’s and Ortiz’s cases, the Guardians issued a statement noting they had been informed that “no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted.”
The investigation into Ortiz is related to two pitches he threw that reportedly generated higher-than-usual betting activity. These pitches took place during starts at Seattle on June 15 and against St. Louis on June 27. The betting activity was flagged by a betting-integrity firm and forwarded to Major League Baseball.
There has been no similar pitch-related detail released about Clase’s case as of now.
Clase’s Career Performance and Trade Deadline
Emmanuel Clase has established himself as one of MLB’s elite closers since being acquired by the Cleveland Guardians from the Texas Rangers in December 2019 in exchange for Corey Kluber, a former Yankees starting pitcher.
In his time with Cleveland, Clase has made 345 appearances, compiled a 1.84 earned run average (ERA), and recorded 181 saves. He was selected for the All-Star Game three times and was awarded the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award in both 2022 and 2024.
In the 2024 season, Clase has posted a 5–3 win-loss record, 24 saves, and a 3.23 ERA, which is a career high. He has appeared in 48 games so far this year.
Prior to the betting investigation, Clase was rumored to be available for trade, with the New York Yankees specifically linked to interest in acquiring him. However, recent reports indicated the Guardians were leaning toward retaining him even before his leave was announced.
With Clase no longer available, New York and other teams must now look elsewhere for bullpen reinforcements before the trade deadline.
MLB’s Recent Disciplinary Actions Related to Sports Betting
In June 2024, MLB suspended five players for gambling:
- Tucupita Marcano, an infielder for the San Diego Padres, received a lifetime ban after placing 387 baseball bets totaling more than $150,000 through a legal sportsbook in 2022 and 2023.
- Michael Kelly, a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, and minor leaguers Jay Groome (San Diego Padres), Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks), and José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies) were each suspended for one year for betting violations.
Earlier in the year, in February 2024, MLB dismissed umpire Pat Hoberg for his role in a separate gambling violation. Hoberg was found to have shared access to his legal betting account with a friend who placed bets on baseball games. He was also found to have deleted electronic communications relevant to MLB’s investigation, which contributed to the league’s decision to terminate his employment.
MLB Betting Policy and Rule Violations
Major League Baseball outlines its gambling rules in Rule 21 of the MLB handbook:
- Rule 21(d)(2): “Any player, umpire or club or league official or employee who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”
- Rule 21(d)(3): “Any player, umpire or club or league official or employee who places bets with illegal bookmakers or agents for illegal bookmakers, shall be subject to such penalty as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct.”
These rules are central to MLB’s current investigations and disciplinary actions related to sports betting.
Guardians’ Trade Deadline Plans Disrupted by Betting Probe
Although reports indicated that Cleveland had been leaning against trading him even before the leave was announced, the team now faces additional roster challenges. With both Clase and Ortiz unavailable through at least the end of August, the bullpen depth will be tested during a critical stretch of the season.
The Guardians currently hold a 52–53 record and are positioned second in the American League Central. With Clase out, right-hander Cade Smith may be the lead internal candidate to assume closer duties, though no official bullpen restructuring has been confirmed.
