New York (AFP) – Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz will remain on non-disciplinary paid leave indefinitely as a sports gambling investigation continues, Major League Baseball announced on Sunday. The league and its players union agreed to extend their leave “until further notice while MLB continues its investigation,” saying in a statement they would not comment further “until the investigation has been completed.”
Clase, the closing reliever, and starter Ortiz were both scheduled to be on leave through Sunday until the league-union statement. Ortiz was placed on leave on July 3 through July 18 before it was extended through Sunday, while Clase was placed on leave on July 28 through Sunday.
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“We have been informed of the extension and will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation,” the Guardians said in a statement. The Guardians have 28 games remaining in the regular season, with their final contest set for September 28. Ortiz and Clase are allowed contact with the Guardians while on leave but do not have access to team facilities or their home ballpark.
At 68-67, the Guardians are four games behind Seattle for the final American League wildcard playoff spot. Clase, a 27-year-old Dominican right-hander, has a 3.23 earned-run average in 47 1/3 innings over 48 appearances this season, with 24 saves in 29 opportunities. Ortiz, a 26-year-old Dominican right-hander, has a 4.36 ERA in 88 2/3 innings over 16 starts.
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