MLB pitcher Luis Ortiz is under investigation for betting on baseball.
The Cleveland Guardians pitcher is under investigation by Major League Baseball after a betting-integrity firm flagged his games.
Luis Ortiz is under investigation for possibly betting on baseball[/caption]
Ortiz has been placed on leave by Major League Baseball[/caption]
The firm flagged two individual pitches from Ortiz that received unusual gambling activity.
Betting-integrity firm IC360 sent an alert in June to sportsbook operators regarding Ortiz.
MLB placed him on “non-disciplinary paid leave” through July 17.
According to ESPN, the alert referenced betting action on Ortiz’ first pitches in certain innings to be a ball or hit batsman.
The two games were June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the Saint Louis Cardinals.
Internet sleuths have determined that in the bottom of the second inning against the Mariners and top of the third inning against the Cardinals, Ortiz threw a first-pitch slider nowhere near the strike zone.
Bets on Ortiz were flagged from Ohio, New York, and New Jersey.
He was scheduled to start on Thursday night against the Chicago Cubs.
“The Guardians have been notified that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation,” the Guardians said in a statement.
“The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”
Ortiz’ investigation comes just a year after MLB dropped a lifetime ban on San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano.
He was found to have placed almost 400 bets on baseball.
Four other players were given one-year suspensions for gambling on baseball while in the minor leagues.
In February, MLB fired umpire Pat Hoberg, one of the best umpires in the game, for “sharing” a legal sports betting account with a friend who bet on baseball.
MLB All-Star Game Starters 2025
Here are the All-Star teams for the American League and National League at the Midsummer Classic on July 15 at Atlanta’s Truist Park, voted on by the fans.
American League Starters
- Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
- First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
- Second base: Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers
- Third base: José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians
- Shortstop: Jacob Wilson, The Athletics
- Outfield: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
- Outfield: Javier Báez, Tigers
- Outfield: Riley Greene, Tigers
- Designated hitter: Ryan O’Hearn, Baltimore Orioles
National League Starters
- Catcher: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
- First base: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
- Second base: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Third base: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres
- Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
- Outfield: Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves
- Outfield: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
- Outfield: Kyle Tucker, Cubs
- Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
The most notable of recent betting investigations came after Shohei Ohtani‘s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was found to have stolen millions of dollars from him to gamble with.
Ortiz has not been handed any punishment yet, but could face a hefty suspension if found in offense of MLB gambling rules.
He was having a decent season with the Guardians, pitching in 16 games so far this season.
He had a 4-9 record with a 4.36 ERA.
