“`html
MLB Investigates Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Amid Gambling Concerns
Table of Contents
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on non-disciplinary leave amid a Major League Baseball investigation into potential gambling violations.Two individuals with knowledge of the investigation confirmed this to the Associated press, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
Ortiz Placed on Leave; Cantillo Called Up
The Athletic first reported the suspension was related to gambling. MLB stated that Ortiz’s paid leave will extend through the All-Star break,with players returning to their teams on july 17 and games resuming the following day. The leave could be prolonged if the investigation remains ongoing.
The Guardians and MLB have refrained from further comment. Ortiz returned to Cleveland on Wednesday night.To fill Ortiz’s spot in the rotation, left-hander Joey cantillo was recalled from Triple-A Columbus. Cantillo holds a 1-0 record with one save and a 3.81 ERA in 21 appearances this season.
Did You Know? The Cleveland guardians have struggled recently, dropping a season-high six straight games and going 9-18 since May 1.
Ortiz’s Career Stats
The 26-year-old Ortiz is in his first season with Cleveland, acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh last December. This season, the right-hander has a 4-9 record with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts across 16 starts. His nine losses are tied for the most in the American League. Over his four big-league seasons, Ortiz is 16-22 with a 4.05 ERA and one save.
Pro Tip: Monitoring player performance and potential distractions,such as off-field investigations,is crucial for fantasy baseball managers.
MLB’s Crackdown on Gambling
The investigation into Ortiz follows a series of MLB actions against gambling. In February, umpire Pat Hoberg was fired for sharing sports gambling account information and deleting messages related to the league’s investigation. More recently, MLB suspended five players for gambling violations, including a lifetime ban for San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano, who placed 387 baseball bets totaling over $150,000 with a legal sportsbook in 2022 and 2023.
athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and three minor leaguers-San Diego pitcher Jay Groome, Arizona pitcher, and Philadelphia infielder José Rodríguez-received one-year suspensions.
| Player | Team | Discipline | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucupita Marcano | San Diego Padres | Lifetime Ban | Placed 387 baseball bets totaling over $150,000 |
| Michael Kelly | Oakland Athletics | 1 Year Suspension | Gambling violation |
| Jay Groome | San Diego Padres (minor League) | 1 Year suspension | gambling violation |
| josé Rodríguez | Philadelphia Phillies (Minor League) | 1 Year suspension | Gambling violation |
Impact on the Guardians
Ortiz was scheduled to start Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Instead,Cantillo will take the mound. The Guardians, with a 40-44 record, are struggling to regain momentum after a poor stretch of games. The team hopes to turn things around after the All-Star break.
the History of MLB and Gambling
MLB has a long and storied history with gambling, dating back to the black Sox Scandal of 1919. This event,where members of the Chicago White Sox were accused of intentionally losing the World Series in exchange for money from gamblers,led to the lifetime ban of eight players and a renewed focus on maintaining the integrity of the game. In recent years,with the legalization of sports betting in many states,MLB has had to adapt
