Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Placed on Leave due to MLB Betting Investigation

by Lisa Spencer, July 11, 2025

Major League Baseball has placed Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz on paid, non-disciplinary leave while investigating two pitches he threw that allegedly coincided with unusual betting activity.

Ortiz Was Scheduled to Start the Game Against the Chicago Cubs

Sources told ESPN that the investigation centers on microbets placed on the outcomes of specific pitches thrown by Ortiz in two games — one on June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and another on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

A betting integrity firm called IC360 reportedly identified the wagers as suspicious and notified sportsbook operators in multiple states, including Ohio, New York, and New Jersey.

In both cases, Ortiz began the inning with a slider that missed the strike zone by a wide margin. On June 15, the wild pitch in the second inning resulted in a walk and sparked a five-run rally by Seattle.

Twelve days later, a similarly off-target pitch in the third inning against the Cardinals was followed by a three-run frame that ended with a home run.

Reports indicate that the decision was made just hours before Ortiz started the game against the Chicago Cubs.

Wagers on Certain Pitches Raise Red Flags

These wagers, known as microbets, let fans bet on the outcome of a single pitch — for example, whether it will be a ball or a hit-by-pitch.

In Ortiz’s case, bettors specifically targeted his first pitch of the inning, wagering it would be either a ball or an HBP — both of which happened in a noticeably erratic manner.

IC360’s alerts prompted Major League Baseball to launch an investigation, which led to Ortiz being sidelined until at least the end of the All-Star break on July 17.

“The Guardians have been notified that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”

-spokesperson for the Guardians

MLB Under Scrutiny for Gambling

Ortiz’s situation is the latest in a series of gambling-related incidents Major League Baseball has faced since the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling that allowed states to legalize sports betting.

Earlier this year, MLB issued a lifetime ban to Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for betting on his own team. At the same time, four minor leaguers were suspended for a year for similar offences.

In another notable case, umpire Pat Hoberg — known for his precise strike-calling — was dismissed after it was revealed he had shared a betting account with a friend who placed bets on baseball.