Luis Ortiz won’t be returning to the mound for at least two weeks due to an "ongoing league investigation" by the MLB.
According to sources cited by ESPN, the Cleveland Guardians pitcher was placed on "non-disciplinary paid leave" amid a Major League Baseball investigation. The team confirmed the decision in a statement on Thursday (July 3), saying Ortiz may return to the field on July 17, which marks the end of the All-Star break.
"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 team said. "The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.
Insiders told ESPN that the league launched the probe after the betting-integrity firm IC360 reported a pair of suspicious pitches that "received unusual gambling activity."
The pitches in question came in the June 15 game against the Seattle Mariners and the June 27 game against the St. Louis Cardinals. In the bottom of the second inning against the Mariners, Ortiz threw a first-pitch slider far outside the zone; he did the same at the top of the third inning against the Cardinals.
"The alert on Ortiz’s first pitches flagged bets in Ohio, New York and New Jersey," the outlet reported. "Betting on the result of first pitches is offered by some sportsbooks, with such wagers commonly referred to as microbets."
Ortiz was expected to start Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old right-hand pitcher was acquired by Cleveland over the winter, after playing three seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
