Guardians' Luis Ortiz's Leave Extended amid MLB's Betting Investigation

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz's leave was extended by Major League Baseball on Friday.

"MLB and MLBPA have agree to extend Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz's non-disciplinary paid leave through games on August 31 while MLB continues its investigation," MLB said in a statement, via ESPN's David Purdum.

Ortiz is under investigation for unusual betting activity detected on individual pitches thrown by him during two separate games in June.

He was initially placed on leave through the All-Star break on July 3, just before he was set to start for the Guardians against the Chicago Cubs.

Betting-integrity firm IC360 notified sportsbooks and gambling regulators after an operator saw a sudden increase in action on Ortiz's first pitch in the bottom of the second inning against the Seattle Mariners on June 15 and in the top of the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 27, per Purdum.

The sportsbook saw an unusual increase in money wagered on the pitches being a ball or hit-batsman on both occasions, via Purdum. Ortiz's two pitches were sliders that both ended up being well outside the strike zone.

The 26-year-old is permitted to have contact with the organization while on leave, but isn't allowed to visit Progressive Field or any other Guardians facility until he returns (via Zack Meisel of The Athletic).

Ortiz is in the midst of his first year with Cleveland after he was acquired in a Dec. 2024 trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The right-hander owns a 4-9 record in 16 starts during his 2025 campaign, posting a 4.36 ERA and 1.376 WHIP. Ortiz has recorded 96 strikeouts compared to 42 walks in 88.2 innings of work.