Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on leave and is under Major League Baseball investigation for gambling, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.
The June 15 pitch to the Seattle Mariners’ Randy Arozarena was low and away leading off the bottom of the second. Arozarena walked and the Mariners went on to score four runs that inning.
On June 27, Ortiz’s first pitch of the third inning, to Pedro Pagés, was even wilder, bouncing in the opposing batter’s box and going to the backstop. Pagés homered in the at-bat and the Cardinals scored three runs in the inning.
The league did not specify what the investigation was about, but said in a statement Ortiz ‘has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the end of the All-Star break.’ The Guardians also issued a statement declining to comment on specifics, saying only the club ‘will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.’
Ortiz was originally scheduled to pitch Thursday, June 3 against the Cubs, the same day the league and club announced the investigation and his leave.
Ortiz, 26, is in his first season with the Guardians after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates over the winter. In 16 starts with Cleveland, Ortiz has a 4-9 record and 4.36 ERA.
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