Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on paid leave while MLB conducts an investigation into his connection with possible betting-related infractions.
News about Ortiz being under investigation surfaced Thursday morning, and the team confirmed the issue.
He will be on leave through the All-Star break, at least initially.
MLB insider Jeff Passan explained the details of the baffling situation.
“BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is being investigated for two individual pitches — one June 15, another June 27 — that received action flagged by a betting-integrity firm,” he posted on X.
BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is being investigated for two individual pitches — one June 15, another June 27 — that received action flagged by a betting-integrity firm, sources tell me and @DavidPurdum. Details free at ESPN: https://t.co/Ib6FwBm5MH
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 3, 2025
Sources told Passan that “betting-integrity firm IC360 sent an alert in June to sportsbook operators regarding Ortiz.”
The firm is referring to two specific pitches made by Ortiz in two recent games.
“The alert, according to sources who reviewed it, referenced action on Ortiz’s first pitches in select innings to be a ball or a hit batsman in two games: June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. In both the bottom of the second inning against the Mariners and the top of the third inning against the Cardinals, Ortiz threw a first-pitch slider that was well outside the strike zone,” Passan wrote.
Some sportsbooks offer people the chance to bet on the outcome of specific game actions, such as the first pitch of an inning.
This is one of the pitches under investigation:
Luis Ortiz got caught gambling when an irregular influx of money came in on the “First Pitch Of The 3rd Inning Will Be a Ball” bet and he came out and threw this 😂 😂 😂 #guilty pic.twitter.com/9oqvOwM01D
— Ohio’s Tate (@BarstoolTate) July 3, 2025
The paid leave through July 17 was negotiated between the league and the Players’ Association.
There is a chance that, if the investigation takes longer, the leave will be extended.
Ortiz has a 4.36 ERA in his first season in Cleveland, with a 4-9 record.
Fans will need to wait until the investigation is over to see the full extent of Ortiz’s connection with these bets and if there is disciplinary action by MLB.
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