- The lockers for Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz were cleared out, according to The Athletic.
- Both pitchers are on leave amid an MLB investigation into gambling.
- Luis L. Ortiz was placed on leave on July 3 after two of his pitches received unusual gambling activity.
The Cleveland Guardians’ clubhouse had some notable changes on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 1.
The lockers for closer Emmanuel Clase and starting pitcher Luis L. Ortiz were cleared out, according to Zack Meisel of The Athletic.
Both players were placed on leave in July, related to an ongoing investigation into gambling by Major League Baseball. If they are found guilty, both could potentially receive a lifetime ban.
It was not made clear if a decision had been reached involving the two players or if it is just potential locker changes in the clubhouse following the conclusion of the MLB trade deadline on July 31.
Why was Luis L. Ortiz placed on leave?
Both were sliders outside of the strike zone at the start of an inning in games played in June.
Some gambling websites allow users to bet on the first pitch of an MLB at-bat.
Why was Emmanuel Clase placed on leave?
The league is looking to see if Clase had violated the MLB’s gambling policy.
Clase has been considered as one of the league’s best closers and his name was mentioned in trade rumors leading up to the deadline.
While the Guardians could have received a nice return in a trade for the three-time All-Star, instead, they still have Clase under contract with some uncertainty about his future.