Days after news broke that Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is under federal investigation for an alleged betting scandal, Major League Baseball is facing its own sports betting drama.
The Athletic was the first to report Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on “non-disciplinary paid leave” through the end of the All-Star break.
While MLB refused to state the reason for the leave, The Athletic reports that it is investigating gambling charges against him.
Ortiz was scheduled to start the Guardians game Thursday night in Chicago against the Cubs. He is being replaced by relief pitcher Joey Cantillo.
The league further announced there would be no comment until the investigation is complete.
“The Guardians have been notified by Major League Baseball that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation,” read a statement from the team. “The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”
MLB and gambling
This isn’t the first time in the post-PASPA era that MLB has had to deal with gambling issues.
Last year, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was banned for life for betting on his team. Also last year, four minor leaguers — Jay Groome (Padres), José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies), Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks), and Kolton Ingram (Detroit Tigers) — were banned for a year for betting on baseball.
And there was the Shohei Ohtani kerfuffle, in which his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was accused of stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover debts owed to an illegal bookmaker. Mizuhara pled guilty and is serving time. The scandal ultimately ensnared Braves infielder David Fletcher (currently in AAA), a longtime friend of Ohtani, who was later reported to have placed bets with the same bookie — though MLB has not disciplined him yet.
Ortiz is in his first year with the Guardians after being traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has a 4-9 record and a 4.36 ERA in 16 starts this season.
