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Cleveland Guardians Starter Louis Ortiz was placed on multidisciplinary paid leave hours before he was scheduled to take the mound against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, MLB announced.
Although MLB does not reveal the nature of the investigation, ESPN reported It was related to gambling.
Two pitches thrown by Ortiz during the start are being scrutinized.
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The Cleveland Guardians will pitch pitcher Louis Ortiz in the first innings against the Cincinnati Reds on June 9, 2025 at Progressive Field. (Ken Blaze/Imagn image)
According to ESPN, in June, the Integrity Firm IC360 broadcast two pitches to the Sportsbook, with the first being June 15th. Seattle Mariners.
The company flagged extraordinary betting action on the first pitch to become a hitter for a ball or hit on the first pitch thrown at the bottom of two innings. Ortiz spiked a slider into the ground, far from the strike zone.
Then, on June 27, a more unusual betting action appeared on the pitch from Ortiz at the top of the third inning. St. Louis Cardinals. Again, the bet was on the ball or hit batter, and Ortiz spiked another pitch that the catcher couldn’t handle.
Such instances happen even with the best pitchers, but the league is investigating the situation.
According to ESPN, the bets came from Ohio, New York and New Jersey.
The Cleveland Guardians celebrate pitcher Louis Ortiz in five innings against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field on May 30, 2025. (Ken Blaze/Imagn image)
Ortiz’s multidisciplinary vacation is set to run through the MLB All-Star break, with the game reopening later on July 18th.
The Guardian issued a statement on the issue following the announcement of MLB.
“The Guardian has been notified by Major League Baseball that Louis Ortiz has been placed on leave in accordance with an agreement with the Players Association, due to an ongoing league investigation.
“Parents are not permitted to comment further at this time and we respect the league’s secret investigation process.”
The Cleveland Guardians will pitch the pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds in their first innings at Great American Ballpark on May 18, 2025. (Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
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Ortiz pitched 16 times for the Guardians this season, with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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