CHICAGO — Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on “non-disciplinary paid leave” through the end of the All-Star break as a result of an MLB investigation, with multiple sources telling The Athletic that the probe is related to gambling.
The league announced that Ortiz would be placed on leave Thursday morning; MLB said in a statement it would not comment further until the conclusion of the investigation.
Ortiz had been scheduled to start for the Guardians on Thursday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Joey Cantillo was promoted from Triple-A Columbus to start instead.
The Guardians released the following statement: “The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”
In 2024, MLB banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for life for betting on his own team. The league also suspended four other players for a year for betting on baseball. MLB umpire Pat Hoberg was also fired earlier this year after it was learned that he shared sports betting accounts with a friend who bet on baseball games.
Ortiz, acquired in a trade with the Pirates in November, owns a 4.36 ERA in 16 starts this year. The 26-year-old played for Pittsburgh from 2022-24.
(Photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)