Guardians Could Face Tough Decision With 2 Key Pitchers

The Cleveland Guardians’ pitching staff was dealt a huge blow last season.

First, Luis L. Ortiz was placed on leave over his alleged involvement in a sports gambling scheme.

Then, closer to the trade deadline, the same thing happened to Emmanuel Clase.

Neither of them has been cleared to play again, and while there haven’t been many updates about their situation, the evidence is reportedly quite damning.

With that in mind, analyst Terry Pluto believes the Guardians will be done with them, even in the unlikely scenario that they’re allowed to play Major League Baseball again.

“Suppose MLB gives [Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz] a minor penalty. I doubt the Guardians would want them back. Probably many of their teammates would have the same opinion. Those guys let the team down during a playoff race. Keep in mind, that’s just my opinion,” Pluto wrote.

Ortiz was projected to be a part of the Cleveland rotation for years to come as someone the team traded for and was trying to develop.

Clase was a well-established All-Star considered to be one of the best closers in baseball.

The Guardians proved to be more than capable of performing without them.

Rookies Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick rose to the occasion down the stretch, and Cade Smith looked more than ready to handle closer’s duties in Clase’s absence.

Most reports state that Ortiz and Clase may never throw another pitch in the majors.

But even if they do, it’s likely to be for someone other than the Guardians.