The Cleveland Guardians have announced that All-Star reliever Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave, per an agreement with the MLBPA, as the league continues its investigation into sports betting. Clase becomes the second Guardians pitcher to be flagged by the league’s investigation, as Luis Ortiz was also placed on non-disciplinary paid leave earlier this month. Clase’s leave will last through August 31st.
Emmanuel Clase Placed on Non-Disciplinary Paid Leave
Clase, whose name was recently being floated in trade talks, has pitched to a 3.23 ERA in 47 1/3 innings in 2025. The right-hander has been one of the game’s premier pitchers since his debut in 2019, boasting a career 1.88 ERA and earning three All-Star appearances. In 2024, he finished third in the American League Cy Young race after pitching to a 0.61 ERA with 47 saves.
He now joins his teammate, Luis Ortiz, as the only two players to be investigated by the league so far. Ortiz was placed on leave earlier this month after a betting-integrity firm flagged two pitches that coincided with large bets being placed on them being balls. No details about specific pitches or outings that led to Clase being flagged have been released yet, but one can assume similar action was found around him.
Clase’s leave is another blow to the Guardians team that is slowly slipping out of the American League playoff race. The club currently sits at 52-53 and is eight games back of the Tigers in the A.L. Central. With Clase gone until the end of August, Cade Smith will seemingly take over the closer role. Smith broke out with a 1.91 ERA in his first season last year and currently has a 3.02 ERA in 46 games in 2025.
Clase’s leave also affects the trade market, as clubs such as the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays have all been open about their desire to add high-end help to their bullpens.
Main Photo Credits: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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