Emmanuel Clase Is Being Investigated for Sports Betting

Cleveland Guardians have recently suspended Emmanuel Clase pending investigation regarding sports betting until August 31st. While the team has not provided further details, this case comes right after an investigation into Luis Ortiz. Check out our article to learn about the suspension and MLB’s plans to ban microbetting.

Emmanuel Clase’s Suspension

Emmanuel Clase is a reliever for the Cleveland Guardians and is considered one of the top closers in the league. Before his suspension, he was considered one of the top trades and even won the American League Reliever of the Year award in 2024. While he’s currently having a down season, this investigation came as a shock to fans.

“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. We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.”

– MLB

While the MLB has not provided details on the reasons for this investigation, the Guardians have been notified that no other team member will be investigated. Depending on the results, this could lead to another Jontay Porter rule, considering how Clase’s prominence. How this will affect the Guardians’ future games remains to be seen.

Luis Ortiz Scandal

This is the second member of the Guardians who is under a sports betting investigation. Luis Ortiz, a starter pitcher, is also under investigation for suspicious performance related to sports betting. During games against the Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals, Ortiz’s sliders missed the strike zone and bounced to the plate.

“Certain types of bets strike me as unnecessary and particularly vulnerable – things where it’s one single act and doesn’t affect the outcome necessarily.”

– Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner

Ortiz’s pitch completely missed the strike zone during the Cardinals game, so it’s receiving particular attention. The MLB found microbets on Ortiz’s pitch, but it’s unclear if a syndicate is involved. Ortiz’s case is still under investigation, so his leave was extended to August 31st.

MLB Considers Bans on Microbetting

Amidst these scandals, the MLB may have to consider banning microbetting. Similar to the incident with Jontay Porter in the NBA, there’s a possibility that a syndicate is involved in these bets. If left unchecked, this could lead to more match-fixing incidents, especially since the frequent delays between pitches facilitate the setup of microbets.

“The pace of micro betting is designed to keep people gambling constantly, making one impulsive bet after another with little time to think.”

– Dan Hutchison, New Jersey Assemblyman

New Jersey Assemblyman Dan Hutchison recently introduced a bill to ban microbetting at licensed sportsbooks. He believes microbetting is easier to fix than other sports betting options and encourages fast betting with little time to consider the outcome. Since the NCAA managed to ban props on college sports, the bill may find sufficient support.

Other Scandals in the MLB

Another reason for the mounting pressure is that there have been other sports betting scandals in the MLB. Last year, Tucupita Marcano was banned for betting on Pittsburgh Pirates games while being part of the team. Although players can participate in sports betting, Rule 21 of the MLB prohibits them from wagering on baseball games.

“The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans.”

– Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner

The scandals extend beyond just the players, as former umpire Pat Hoberg was terminated for sharing a sports betting account with a friend who bet on baseball in February. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, admitted embezzling $16 million from the LA Dodgers star to repay gambling debts.

Conclusion

While Emmanuel Clase’s investigation is ongoing, it’s clear that the MLB needs to enforce stricter rules on gambling. Aside from players betting on their games, other members are also involved in betting scandals. It remains to be seen how the MLB will respond to the situation.