MLB Removes Ortiz from Active Duty Through July 17

leveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on paid leave as of July 3, with Major League Baseball confirming the move but choosing not to share any details while an ongoing investigation continues.

Good to know

• Ortiz is on non-disciplinary paid leave and will be out through July 17.
• MLB has not confirmed if the case involves gambling.
• Ortiz was set to start against the Cubs before being pulled from action.

In a statement, the Guardians said, “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. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”

MLB has stayed tight-lipped about what prompted the move, including whether the investigation is tied to possible gambling violations or if it involves Ortiz’s previous stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played from 2022 to 2024.

Ortiz had been scheduled to pitch on July 3 against the Chicago Cubs, but that start has now been scrapped. Under current plans, he will remain on leave through July 17.

The news comes just weeks after MLB made headlines for cracking down on gambling-related violations. Tucupita Marcano of the San Diego Padres received a lifetime ban earlier this year after betting on his own team. Four other players were handed one-year suspensions for betting on baseball in separate incidents as part of that same investigation.

So far, Ortiz has not been formally disciplined, and the leave is considered non-disciplinary, meaning no punishment has been issued. MLB has said it will not release more information until the investigation is complete.