The Cleveland Guardians find themselves at a crossroads as pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave on July 3, 2025, amid a Major League Baseball (MLB) investigation related to possible gambling activity. The 26-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in December 2024, is currently under scrutiny following unusual betting patterns on two specific pitches he threw earlier this season.
MLB and the Guardians have remained tight-lipped about the details, with the team stating they are "not permitted to comment further at this time" and will "respect the league's confidential investigative process." The investigation reportedly stems from alerts raised by a betting-integrity firm, IC360, which flagged unusual wagering activity on Ortiz's first pitches during games on June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
These pitches, both sliders thrown well outside the strike zone, triggered alerts because sportsbooks allow wagers on the outcome of the first pitch of an inning, including bets on whether the pitcher throws a ball or hits the batter. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the betting-integrity firm sent these alerts to sportsbook operators and then to MLB, prompting the ongoing probe.
Ortiz's leave is set to last through the end of the All-Star break on July 18, with players expected to return to their teams on July 17 and games resuming the following day. The leave can be extended if the investigation remains open beyond that date. Ortiz returned to Cleveland on the night of July 3 but was barred from entering any Guardians facilities, per the team's president of baseball operations, Chris Antonetti.
Antonetti addressed the situation before the Guardians' game against the Chicago Cubs on July 4, explaining, "We learned very little last night, but knew we needed to get someone here today to start today’s game, and that really was our focus." With Ortiz sidelined, left-hander Joey Cantillo was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start in his place. Cantillo, who has a 1-0 record, one save, and a 3.81 ERA in 21 appearances this season, was thrust into the spotlight in a challenging moment for the Guardians.
Manager Stephen Vogt and Antonetti spoke candidly with the team about Ortiz's situation, attempting to answer players' questions as best they could. Vogt reflected on the emotional toll, saying, "Honestly, when I got the news yesterday I didn’t know how to feel. There’s so much unknowns with this, but you know what? Every team goes through adversity, maybe different kinds, but this is a resilient group. I’ve been through situations similar to this before in my career as a player, and what would I have wanted to hear? How would I want the manager to have reacted, and that’s what I’m trying to do." This sentiment underscores the team's determination to stay united amid uncertainty.
The Guardians are enduring a tough stretch, having dropped a season-high six consecutive games and holding a 40-44 overall record. Since May 1, the team has gone 9-18, a slump that has dimmed early-season playoff hopes. Ortiz's absence adds to the challenges facing Cleveland as they try to regain momentum in the American League Central, where they currently sit third.
Ortiz's 2025 campaign has been a mixed bag. He posted a 4.36 ERA over 88 2/3 innings in 16 starts, compiling a 4-9 record. His nine losses are tied for the most in the American League, highlighting struggles despite his 96 strikeouts. In his four major league seasons, Ortiz holds a 16-22 record with a 4.05 ERA and one save.
The gambling investigation into Ortiz is not without precedent in MLB. Just over a year ago, the league suspended five players for gambling violations, including a lifetime ban for San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano. Marcano was found to have placed 387 baseball bets totaling over $150,000 in 2022 and 2023. Four other players received one-year suspensions and were reinstated in June 2025. Additionally, umpire Pat Hoberg was fired in February 2025 for sharing his legal sports gambling accounts and deleting messages pertinent to a league investigation.
Historically, baseball has grappled with gambling scandals, most famously the 1919 Black Sox scandal, where players conspired to throw the World Series. The current investigation into Ortiz centers on in-game prop bets on specific pitches, a newer wrinkle in the ongoing challenge of maintaining the integrity of the sport in an era of widespread legalized sports betting.
As the Guardians await further developments, the team and its fans face a period of uncertainty. Ortiz's future with the club and in MLB depends on the outcome of the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the Guardians seek to stabilize their performance on the field, hoping to overcome their recent skid and stay competitive in a tightly contested division.
The situation remains fluid, with MLB and the Guardians cooperating fully with the investigative process. For now, Joey Cantillo will take the mound in Ortiz's absence, and the Guardians will look to rally as they navigate this unexpected adversity.
