Luis Ortiz Under Investigation for Gambling Allegations

Major League Baseball has placed Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz on paid leave while it investigates allegations of his involvement in gambling activities. This decision follows a report from the gambling integrity firm IC360, which flagged two specific pitches thrown by Ortiz that raised suspicions of unusual betting behavior.

IC360 alerted MLB in June regarding two separate starts by Ortiz, 26, where his first pitch of the inning was a slider that missed the strike zone. While such pitches are not uncommon, the firm noted a spike in prop bets related to those specific pitches being called balls, prompting further scrutiny.

Ortiz's leave, arranged in conjunction with the MLB Players’ Association, is scheduled to last until the end of the All-Star break on July 18, although it may be extended if the investigation remains ongoing. The Guardians opted to replace Ortiz for his scheduled start against the Chicago Cubs on July 3, with Joey Cantillo stepping in as the starter.

As of July 4, Ortiz has not publicly commented on the investigation. Meanwhile, Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti expressed the team's commitment to cooperating with MLB's inquiry. "Our focus is we’ll let the investigative process play out," Antonetti stated. "To the extent Major League Baseball or anyone needs our support in that, we will obviously cooperate." His remarks reflect a cautious approach as the team navigates this unexpected situation.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt shared his mixed feelings about the news, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the investigation. "There’s so much unknowns with this," he said. "Every team goes through adversity, maybe different kinds, but this is a resilient group." Vogt's experience in similar situations as a player informs his handling of the current predicament.

MLB confirmed the investigation but withheld further details. "Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on nondisciplinary paid leave through the end of the All-Star break due to an MLB investigation," read their statement. "We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed."

If MLB concludes that Ortiz manipulated game outcomes, even marginally, he could face severe penalties, including a potential lifetime ban from baseball. The stakes are high, especially in light of recent incidents involving other players and officials within the league.

Since the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling that lifted the federal ban on sports betting, many states have legalized it, leading to increased scrutiny of athletes' involvement. In 2024, MLB banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for life after he was found to have placed over 400 bets on baseball games. Additionally, four other players received one-year suspensions for betting on MLB games while in the minor leagues.

In another notable case, MLB terminated umpire Pat Hoberg after discovering he shared a sports betting account with a friend who placed bets on baseball. Hoberg's actions included allegedly deleting messages relevant to the investigation, further complicating matters for him.

The ongoing investigation into Ortiz serves as a reminder of the heightened vigilance surrounding gambling in professional sports and its potential ramifications for players and teams alike.