Cleveland Guardians pitcher Lewis Ortiz is currently under investigation by Major League Baseball for involvement in gambling, leading to his interdisciplinary leave starting Thursday, according to anonymous sources familiar with the probe. The inquiry focuses on two specific pitches Ortiz threw that attracted unusual betting activity, one during a game in Seattle on June 15 and another during in-game prop bets on June 27 against St. Louis. ESPN reported that gambling monitoring company IC360 had flagged Ortiz to sportsbooks, and The Athletic revealed his suspension is gambling-related.
MLB has announced Ortiz’s paid leave will last through the All-Star break, with players expected to return on July 17, though the leave may be extended if the investigation continues. Chris Antonetti, president of Cleveland’s baseball operations, said the team has maintained communication with Ortiz but he has not been allowed inside the Guardians’ facility. Ortiz had been slated to start in the upcoming series finale but was replaced by left-hander Joey Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus.
Antonetti expressed the team’s efforts are focused on understanding the situation and cooperating with MLB’s investigation, while manager Stephen Vogt told the team about Ortiz’s case to address their concerns. The Guardians, who have been struggling with a six-game losing streak and a poor record since May, now face added challenges amid this controversy. Vogt acknowledged the uncertainty but expressed confidence in the team’s resilience.
Ortiz, 26, is in his first season with Cleveland after being acquired from Pittsburgh. His season record stands at 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts, the nine losses tying for the most in the American League. Over his four major league seasons, Ortiz has a record of 16-22 with a 4.05 ERA and one save.
This investigation follows last year’s MLB suspensions of five players for gambling, highlighted by a lifetime ban for San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano, who reportedly made 387 bets totaling over $150,000. Additionally, Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and three minor leaguers received one-year suspensions, and umpire Pat Hoberg was fired earlier this year for improper communication regarding sports gambling.
Fan Take: This gambling investigation highlights the ongoing challenges MLB faces in maintaining the integrity of the game. For fans, it’s a crucial reminder that the sport they love depends on fair play, and how the league handles these issues will shape baseball’s credibility moving forward.
