Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase placed on leave under MLB gambling probe
ESPN was first to report the move, with the Guardians confirming it in a social media post on Monday, July 28, saying Clase was "placed on non-disciplinary paid leave per an agreement with the Players Association."
The team added that "no additional players or Club personnel are expected to be impacted."
Clase had one of the best seasons by a relief pitcher in baseball history in 2024, converting 47 saves in 50 opportunities and posting a 0.61 ERA in 74 ⅓ innings. He finished third in the AL Cy Young voting behind winner Tarik Skubal and runner-up Seth Lugo.
This season, he's racked up 24 saves, but with a 3.23 ERA.
Ortiz was put on leave July 3, after ESPN reported that two of his pitches – both sliders far outside the strike zone in games on June 15 and June 27 – received unusual gambling activity.
The league did not specify what the investigation was about, but said in a statement Ortiz "has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the end of the All-Star break."
Although the break has concluded, Ortiz has yet to return to the Guardians' active roster.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
6 minutes ago
- USA Today
Enteirng 2025-26 season, has Houston become the NBA's deepest team?
'The Rockets now stand as arguably the deepest team in basketball,' The Athletic's Kelly Iko writes as part of his offseason grade (A) for Houston. While there are still a handful of moves remaining, the NBA picture for the 2025-26 season is now largely in our NBA staff graded each team's summer moves ⤵️ As part of a widely praised 2025 offseason, the Rockets gained more star power with the acquisition of Kevin Durant. Between the future Hall of Famer and 23-year-old center Alperen Sengun, that gives Houston a duo of 2025 All-Stars as foundational pieces for its 2025-26 roster. Amen Thompson, a rising star entering his third NBA season, could soon be in All-Star discussions, as well. But while stars are certainly in place, there's also an argument to be made that Houston might have the league's deepest roster. With training camps opening around October 1, it's that combination that has the Rockets — who finished last season at 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference — among the early championship favorites. In grading Houston's 2025 offseason an A, The Athletic's Kelly Iko argues that the Rockets could have the NBA's deepest squad, as things currently stand. His case: The acquisition of Kevin Durant by a 52-win team without cratering depth was enough to cap a strong Rockets offseason, but the veteran additions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela on team-friendly contracts put Houston in rare summer air. The organization was also able to retain key rotational members Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith Jr. without handcuffing themselves financially — and the Rockets now stand as arguably the deepest team in basketball. This team has shifted from a patient rebuild to an aggressive championship push in fewer than three seasons... and now has the personnel to play any style that head coach Ime Udoka wants, any time. 'Houston's time is now,' Iko concludes. The starting lineup for the Rockets is likely to consist of VanVleet, Durant, Smith, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun, with reserve rotation players including Adams, Tari Eason, Finney-Smith, and Sheppard. But beyond those nine, Houston has accomplished veterans such as Capela, Aaron Holiday, Josh Okogie, Jae'Sean Tate, and Jeff Green occupying spots No. 10 through No. 14 on its roster — and that's before considering potential two-way options. With the exception of Sheppard, a second-year guard who has considerable upside as the No. 3 overall pick from the NBA's 2024 draft, each of those nine rotation players is already proven as a capable starter or rotation player. Furthermore, should Sheppard not pan out or injuries occur elsewhere in the rotation, the Rockets have as many as five players further down the depth chart that have shown an ability to play solid NBA minutes. So, between the strength of its projected rotation and the widespread availability of insurance policies, Houston is in a strong place as training camp nears. More: In 2025 offseason grades, ESPN ranks Houston among NBA's two best
NBC Sports
7 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Spurs go all-in on De'Aaron Fox, reportedly agreeing to four-year, $229 million max extension
When the basketball gods handed San Antonio the No. 2 pick and the chance to draft highly-touted point guard Dylan Harper, there were questions in other front offices if the Spurs might play hardball in negotiations with De'Aaron Fox and not give him the max that was expected after a mid-season trade for the former All-Star. No, they paid him the max. The Spurs and Fox agreed to a four-year max contract that could be worth up to $229 million, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania. (The actual total will likely be closer to $22.4 million, the $229 million figure is based on the salary cap going up 10% next year, while the NBA projects it will rise by 7%.) This is a straight four, with no options for the player or team, and kicks in for the 2026-27 season, keeping Fox under contract until the summer of 2030. The Spurs traded for Fox at the deadline in a massive three-team deal (which included Zach LaVine to the Kings) after Fox's representatives reportedly told Sacramento management he would not sign an extension with the team. Fox had previously questioned if the Kings were committed to 'competing at a high level.' San Antonio was Fox's preferred landing spot, giving him the chance to pair up with Victor Wembanyama on a team building a contender. However, Wembanyama and Fox only played five games together before the French center was out for the season due to blood clots in his shoulder. Fox averaged 19.7 points per game shooting 27.4% on 3-pointers — both numbers well below his career averages — in 17 games before ending his season in March to undergo finger surgery. San Antonio is a patient organization and coach Mitch Johnson is expected to spend this season figuring out how Fox, Harper and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle fit together — and especially how they mesh with Victor Wembanyama. The expectation around the league has been that the Spurs will eventually have to move on from at least one of their guard trio, although this Fox contract ends right when Harper's second contract would kick in, so the timing may work out. Fox, especially if his numbers dip, will be challenging to trade on this new contract. Wembanyama can sign an extension after next season, and it would kick in for the 2027-28 season. So far the trade from Sacramento to San Antonio has worked out as well as Fox wanted. Now he needs to earn that money on the court.
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic Makes Bold Statement on Body After Criticism Following Lakers Trade
Luka Doncic Makes Bold Statement on Body After Criticism Following Lakers Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It has only been a little less than three months since the Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Timberwolves, but for star guard Luka Doncic, things have already changed. Notably, his body -- Doncic has been putting in extra work to firm up his conditioning, which was so long a point of contention in Dallas and one of the reasons the Mavericks traded him at last February's NBA deadline. In an interview with Men's Health magazine, Doncic says he is already well into the process of transforming himself. 'Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,' he told the magazine. Of course, this is not the first time we've seen an offseason story about a player getting into the best shape of his life. It's an annual rite in the NBA, and in any sport, and it's especially applied to Doncic, who has been a five-time All-NBA player in his six years in the league despite not being in tip-top shape. Doncic, according to the magazine, has been working out in Croatia and adhering to a "gluten-free, low-sugar diet," and is working with his fitness team to follow through on his commitment to conditioning. That has come into clear focus following the controversial trade out of Dallas. 'So every summer I try my best to work on different things," he says. "Obviously, I'm very competitive. This summer was just a little bit different, you know. It kind of motivated me to be even better.' He also says he is motivated by the examples of two other all-time great players, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, who were known for their incomparable and demanding workout regimens. 'MJ and Kobe, you know, they really did a lot in their careers,' he says. 'They sacrificed a lot.' Doncic added that his focus is on condition rather than athleticism, which has never been his strength. But there are still ways he can be effective without that. 'Not everything is jumping high,' he says. 'I think I'm very athletic in other stuff. Balancing, controlling my body, what I do when I stop, slowing down.' Doncic has made progress, he said. But he also said he's just beginning. 'Obviously, be the best that I can be, take care of myself,' he says. 'This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can't stop.' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
