**Cleveland Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Placed on Leave Amid Investigation**
Luis Ortiz, the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave just hours before his scheduled start against the Chicago Cubs, as announced by Major League Baseball (MLB). The league has not disclosed the specifics of the investigation, but reports suggest it is related to gambling activities involving two of Ortiz’s pitches.
In June, the betting integrity firm IC360 flagged two pitches thrown by Ortiz, which raised concerns among sportsbooks. The first incident occurred on June 15 during a game against the Seattle Mariners, where unusual betting activity was noted on Ortiz’s first pitch in the bottom of the second inning, which was deemed a ball or hit batsman. Ortiz delivered a slider that spiked into the ground, far from the strike zone. A second instance was reported on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals, where similar betting patterns emerged on a pitch in the top of the third inning, again resulting in a spiked pitch that the catcher could not handle.
While such occurrences can happen to any pitcher, the league is taking the matter seriously, especially given the bets originated from states including Ohio, New York, and New Jersey. Ortiz’s leave is expected to last through the MLB All-Star break, with games resuming on July 18.
The Guardians released a statement confirming MLB’s decision, indicating that they have been informed of Ortiz’s leave in accordance with an agreement with the Players Association due to the ongoing investigation. The team has stated that they will not comment further and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.
This season, Ortiz has made 16 appearances for the Guardians, achieving a 4.36 ERA and recording 96 strikeouts.
**FAQ**
*What led to Luis Ortiz being placed on leave?*
Luis Ortiz was placed on leave due to an ongoing investigation by MLB related to unusual betting activity on two of his pitches during games in June.
