Right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz was the scheduled starter for Thursday night's series finale against the Chicago Cubs, but now 26-year-old Cleveland Guardians player is under investigation for gambling. Ortiz was placed on the "non-disciplinary paid leave" through July 17.
ESPN provided more details into the investigation after the Guardians released a statement Thursday morning, announcing that Ortiz was going on paid leave, but did not comment on the investigation. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan and David Purdum, Ortiz became the subject of an investigation after two specific pitches were flagged during two separate starts during the month of June.
Via ESPN.
Sources said betting-integrity firm IC360 sent an alert in June to sportsbook operators regarding Ortiz.
The alert, according to sources who reviewed it, referenced action on Ortiz's first pitches in select innings to be a ball or a hit batsman in two games: June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. In both the bottom of the second inning against the Mariners and the top of the third inning against the Cardinals, Ortiz threw a first-pitch slider that was well outside the strike zone.
Here are the two pitches from the games against the Seattle Mariners on June 15 and St. Louis Cardinals on June 27. Allegedly, Ortiz threw a ball on the first pitch in the bottom of the second inning against the Mariners and the first pitch in the top of the third inning against the Cardinals on purpose.
The second pitch that was flagged is notably outside of the strike zone as Ortiz spiked a slider well in front of the plate.
Ortiz has made 16 starts with the Guardians in 2025. The right-hander has posted a 4.36 ERA in 88.2 innings. The native of the Dominican Republic began his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, making his big-league debut in 2022. He pitched for Pittsburgh through the 2024 season.
On Dec. 10, 2024, Ortiz was acquired by the Guardians as part of a package for infielder Spencer Hortwitz.
As legalized gambling has become more popular across the United States so has the number of pro athletes getting in trouble with the industry. In 2024, MLB handed former San Diego Padres player Tucupita Marcano a lifetime ban after he placed almost 400 wagers on baseball. Marcano played in 124 games with the Pirates between 2022-23. Earlier this year the league also fired umpire Pat Hoberg for "sharing" a legal sports betting account with a friend who bet on baseball and later deleting messages key to the investigation.
On Sunday, Malik Beasley became the latest basketball player to be under federal investigation on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets.
