The Cleveland Guardians have denied suspended closer Emmanuel Clase permission to pitch in Venezuela’s winter league as he remains sidelined amid an ongoing sports betting investigation.
Clase has been on leave since July 28, when Major League Baseball and the MLBPA placed him under suspension.
His attempt to continue playing internationally has been blocked by the organization, which cited league regulations and the unresolved nature of the probe.
According to Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, the Guardians refused to grant consent due to multiple factors tied to the investigation.
“The investigation is still ongoing. The Guardians have not been in contact with Clase or Ortiz for months. They have no idea how much they’ve been throwing or training. If they are found innocent, why would they consent to have Clase pitch in Venezuela instead of getting ready for the 2026 season after missing so much time during the regular season and postseason? If Clase and Ortiz face discipline from Commissioner Rob Manfred — a lifetime ban is possible — why would the Guardians go out of their way to help either player?” Hoynes wrote.
MLB rules prevent players from joining teams outside their home countries without explicit approval from both the league and their club.
After being barred from pitching for the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Republic, Clase sought a spot with the Tiburones de La Guaira in Venezuela but was denied.
The suspension stems from reports of suspicious wagering activity connected to betting on Cleveland Guardians games.
With no clarity on when the investigation will conclude, the Guardians are keeping Clase’s status on hold while the matter unfolds.
Clase finished the season with a 5-3 record, a 3.23 ERA, and 24 saves across 48 outings.
Though his numbers dipped from his dominant 2024 campaign when he recorded a career-high 47 saves, he still led the American League in that category.
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