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Major League Baseball has placed Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of an ongoing investigation into sports betting. This decision marks the second time in just a month that a major pitcher from the Guardians has faced similar scrutiny for a betting probe, following the indefinite leave of starter Luis Ortiz earlier this month.
The Guardians confirmed the action in a statement, indicating that they have received assurances that no other players or club staff will be affected.
“The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process as we continue to fully cooperate,” the team statement added.
Two Clase Pitches Raised Red Flags with Monitoring Firms
Clase, a three-time All-Star and last season’s American League Reliever of the Year, has had a strong season with 24 saves and a 3.23 ERA in 48 games. However, his recent performance had led to speculation about his potential as a trade asset before the deadline.
The nature of the allegations against him remains unclear, but reports suggest that they may be connected to suspicious betting activities linked to two specific pitches he threw earlier in the season.
Both pitches, which missed the strike zone and bounced to the plate, raised red flags with a betting integrity monitoring firm, leading to further investigation by MLB. “Per an agreement with the MLBPA, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through games on August 31st while MLB continues its sports betting investigation,” the MLB statement read.
“We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.”
Microbetting Remains a Concern
The ongoing situation with Luis Ortiz has highlighted issues surrounding microbetting, a form of wagering that allows fans to place bets on individual players or pitches, such as the outcome of the next pitch.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed concern about these betting options, stating that some bets seem unnecessary and particularly prone to manipulation. He noted that wagers based on single actions do not always influence the game’s overall outcome.
There have also been speculations that MLB may push for stricter regulations on microbetting, which is similar to the NCAA’s efforts to restrict prop bets in college sports due to integrity concerns.
In New Jersey, efforts to curb microbetting are already underway. Assemblyman Dan Hutchison has introduced a bill aimed at banning these types of bets in licensed sportsbooks, citing potential risks to sports integrity and the rising issue of problem gambling.
“This legislation isn’t about banning sports betting,” Hutchinson said about the bill. “It’s about setting boundaries to ensure it’s done responsibly.”
MLB Continues to Struggle with Betting Scandals
In recent years, Major League Baseball has faced significant challenges related to gambling, with multiple high-profile incidents shaking the sport.
One of the most notable scandals involved Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was sentenced to over four years in prison for embezzling nearly $17 million from Ohtani to fuel his gambling addiction. Ohtani has consistently denied any involvement in gambling activities.
The troubles also continued into the 2024 season, when the San Diego Padres’ shortstop Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban after it was discovered he placed 387 bets on baseball, including 231 related to MLB games. The investigation revealed that they wagered more than $150,000 with a significant portion on games involving the Pirates, the team he played for at the time.
MLB also took action against other players and personnel. Four players received one-year suspensions for their involvement in gambling, while umpire Pat Hoberg was fired this year for sharing a betting account with a friend who placed wagers on baseball. Although he did not bet himself, his deletion of messages related to the investigation led to his termination.
Source: YogoNet
