Cleveland Guardians’ Pitcher Luis Ortiz Placed on Leave Amid Gambling Investigation

Recent Development:

Luis Ortiz, the Guardians’ most active pitcher this season with 88.2 innings pitched, has been placed on non-disciplinary leave.
The MLB is investigating potential involvement in betting activities linked to Ortiz’s games.
Details of the Investigation:

An integrity firm, IC360, flagged unusual betting activity surrounding Ortiz’s performances.
The activity was detected on two specific occasions:
June 15 against the Seattle Mariners, involving his start where he threw a slider.
June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals, also involving a slider pitch.
The betting activity was unusual enough for sportsbooks and data companies to raise concerns, especially given the volume of bets placed at specific points in the game.
Official Response:

The Guardians issued a brief statement: they’ve been notified by MLB about Ortiz’s leave due to an ongoing investigation and are respecting the league’s confidentiality.
No further details are provided at this time.
Context & Implications:

While suspicion exists, there’s no proof of wrongdoing yet; receiving suspicious betting signals does not automatically imply guilt.
Recent high-profile cases highlight the serious consequences of illegal sports betting, including lifetime bans (e.g., Jontay Porter in the NBA).
Ortiz’s role is significant: he leads the Guardians in innings pitched this season.