Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz predicted to be out of MLB amid investigation
Both are on leave through at least August 31st as the investigation is ongoing, with Ortiz going on leave on July 3rd and Clase a few weeks later on July 28th.
The two aren't likely to pitch again this season for Cleveland, especially after their lockers in the Guardians clubhouse were cleaned out over the trade deadline.
But, during an appearance on Baskin & Phelps on 92.3 The Fan, Cleveland, Zack Meisel of The Athletic made a bold prediction on Clase and Ortiz amid the ongoing sports betting investigation.
"I have a hard time envisioning them (Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz) ever pitching in Major League Baseball again, honestly," Meisel said. "Look, I don't want to speculate on what the investigation might end up proving or disproving. But there was a player banned from baseball a year ago, and it was much, much less than this."
It's a very bold take from Meisel, as he believes that both Ortiz and Clase have pitched for the last time in the Majors in their careers. Major League Baseball has a long history with betting, with Pete Rose and the 1919 Black Sox Scandal being the two most noteworthy examples.
Both situations resulted in lifetime bans for the players involved, and now, with Clase and Ortiz the latest players under investigation, they, in Meisel's mind, could be joining that group in baseball history.
MORE: Guardians to trade Cy Young starter Shane Bieber to Blue Jays
But, as Meisel mentions, just last year, San Diego Padres' Tucupita Marcano was suspended from baseball for life after his own sports betting investigation. However, he explains the major difference between that player and the Clase and Ortiz situations.
"It was a guy who was injured, sitting on the couch, who bet on his team. He had no influence in that. This is different. These were pitchers with the ball in their hands. And if you can't trust that, there's not a spot for you."
"I don't know what will happen," Meisel said. "I don't know what they found or what they think they will find... I have a really hard time picturing any scenario where they're back pitching. This is rule number one."
The difference between the two is stark. Marcano didn't have a chance to influence his sports bets, as he was doing so from his couch at home. Clase and Ortiz were both pitching and could have a direct influence on the game.
It's a huge difference, and if Marcano was suspended for life, the chances of Clase and Ortiz escaping lifetime bans don't look great.
What's already been a huge blow to the team could get even worse if Meisel's prediction comes true. As an insider for the Guardians, his sense of the situation is noteworthy. Combined with the history of MLB and sports betting, Clase and Ortiz, in Meisel's mind, have thrown their last pitches in the Majors in their careers.
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