Another MLB gambling probe—and this time, it’s landed right in the middle of the Cleveland Guardians’ rotation. Luis Ortiz, who’s been quietly putting together a solid 2025 season, is now the latest name under the microscope. According to reports, Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball. And while the league’s statement didn’t spell out precisely what they’re digging into, reporting from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Zack Meisel says it’s all about—yep, you guessed it—gambling.
Ortiz Pulled Just Before Scheduled Start at Wrigley
This isn’t some obscure bench player we’re talking about—Ortiz was scheduled to take the mound Thursday night against the Chicago Cubs. Instead, in a late change, Joey Cantillo will make the emergency start. That’s a significant shift for the Guardians, who’ve been relying heavily on their rotation to stay afloat in a hotly contested AL Central. You don’t just swap out your No. 3 starter hours before first pitch without feeling it, both on the field and in the clubhouse.
Guardians Stay Quiet, MLB Investigation Moves Forward
The Guardians, for their part, kept their public comments short and cautious. “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 team said in a Thursday statement. They added that they’re not permitted to comment further, clearly deferring to the league’s confidential process. It’s worth noting Ortiz is still on paid leave, which typically signals that this isn’t an immediate suspension, but rather a hold pending results of the probe.
Stats Show Ortiz Was Emerging as Key Rotation Piece
And let’s not forget what the Guardians are potentially losing here. Ortiz, just 26, has thrown 88 2/3 innings this season with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts. Those numbers don’t scream Cy Young, but they do say reliable mid-rotation starter. And when you look at 2024—when he posted a 3.32 ERA and earned 3.1 WAR splitting time as a starter and swingman—there was clear growth. Losing him now, even temporarily, shakes up Cleveland’s pitching plans in a big way.
We don’t know the full scope of the allegations, the depth of this investigation, or the extent of Ortiz’s involvement. What we do know is that scrutiny of gambling in pro sports isn’t going anywhere. And for the Guardians, this is a storm they’ll have to weather without one of their most dependable arms—for now.
