Three-time All-Star pitcher is out as Major League Baseball looks into alleged links to shady gambling behavior.
July 28, 2025: On Monday, Major League Baseball said that Emmanuel Clase, the All-Star closer for the Cleveland Guardians, is on paid administrative leave as the league looks into whether he was involved in illicit sports betting.
This choice comes just days before the trade deadline on July 31, when people think Clase might be traded as a valuable bullpen piece. The 27-year-old right-hander is now off the field for an unknown amount of time while MLB looks into the matter.
Link to Unusual Betting Behavior
There isn’t much information about what exactly made MLB look at Clase. But the move comes after Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was put on paid leave without punishment earlier this month because of strange betting patterns on two of his pitches: one on June 15 in Seattle and the other on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
A betting integrity company noticed the bets and sent them to MLB for more investigation. There is no proof yet that Clase’s position is directly linked to Ortiz’s, but the fact that both players are from the same club has raised some questions.
The Cleveland Guardians said in a statement on Monday:
“The suspension of Clase is not expected to affect any other players or Club staff.” The Guardians can’t say anything else for now, and they will respect the league’s secret investigation process while we continue to fully comply.
The 2025 Season for Clase So far this season, Clase has been one of MLB’s most reliable closers, going 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA and 24 saves in 48 games. He pitched in both games of a Saturday doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. In Game 1, he gave up three runs and lost. In Game 2, he pitched a scoreless ninth to get the save.
Clase has been in the MLB for six years and has been named to the All-Star Game three times. He was one of the most sought-after bullpen pitchers before the trade deadline this week.
All Over the League Gambling under close watch
The story of Clase is just one more example of gambling problems in major American sports leagues. MLB, like the NFL and NBA, has stepped up its efforts to keep the game fair as sports betting has become more common in the U.S. Recent infractions have led to long suspensions, and in some cases, even lifetime bans.
The leave shows that the league is treating the probe seriously, even though Clase hasn’t been suspended or punished.