The two Luis Ortiz pitches that led to MLB's gambling investigation
The betting-integrity firm IC360 flagged two pitches in June and relayed it to sportsbook operators, the outlet reported.
The first alert was reportedly triggered by unusual betting action on the first pitch from Ortiz in the bottom of the second against the Mariners on June 15 to be a ball or hit batsman.
Advertisement
Guardians starter Luis Ortiz throws a pitch against the Mariners on June 15, 2025.
Getty Images
Ortiz proceeded to throw a slider well off the plate and below the strike zone.
On June 27, IC360 sent a second alert regarding unusual action on a pitch from Ortiz, this time the first pitch during the top of the third inning against the Cardinals to be a ball or hit batsman.
Advertisement
Ortiz once again bounced a slider nowhere near the zone.
Bets were flagged in Ohio, New York and New Jersey, ESPN added.
Ortiz was placed on leave by MLB due to a league gambling investigation hours before he was supposed to take the mound for Cleveland on Thursday.
Advertisement
The league announced that he was on non-disciplinary paid leave through the All-Star break — games resume July 18 — due to an investigation, though they didn't announce at the time what he was under investigation for.
'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,' MLB's statement read. 'The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league's confidential investigative process.'
Ortiz adds to a growing list of baseball players that have been tied up in gambling investigations in recent years.
Advertisement
Last year, Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was banned by the league for life for betting on Pirates games while he was a member of the team.
Cleveland Guardians' Luis L. Ortiz pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the St.Louis Cardinals in Cleveland, Friday, June 27, 2025.
AP
Four other players — A's pitcher Michael Kelly, Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank, Padres pitcher Jay Groome and Phillies infielder José Rodríguez — received one-year suspensions for betting on other teams.
Ortiz has gone 4-9 with 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts compared to 42 walks spanning 16 starts for the Guardians this season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Michael Conforto's two-run homer (7)
Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson on the key to his success in win against the Blue Jays Arizona Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson allowed one run on one hit in 5 2/3 innings, and the Diamondbacks left Toronto with a 9-5 win.
Associated Press
33 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Shaw sac fly in 10th lifts Cubs over Guardians 1-0, deals Cleveland 7th straight loss.
CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie Matt Shaw's deep sacrifice fly to center scored Nico Hoerner from third in the 10th inning, giving the Chicago Cubs a 1-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday night. Hoerner, the automatic runner, advanced to third on Michael Busch's groundout. He trotted home on Shaw's liner that Lane Thomas caught in front of the ivy at Wrigley Field . Dansby Swanson had two of Chicago's three hits as the Cubs swept the series and dealt the Guardians a season-high seventh straight loss. Chris Flexen (5-0), the Cubs fourth reliever, pitched a perfect 10th for the win. NL Central-leading Chicago improved to 52-35 and moved four games ahead of second-place Milwaukee. Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase (4-2), pitched the ninth and 10th and took the loss. Steven Kwan had two singles in a game with no extra-base hits. Cubs rookie starter Cade Horton threw seven scoreless, five-hit innings in his longest outing so far. Cleveland's Joey Cantillo tossed 3 1/3 two-hit, shutout innings in his first start this season. The left-hander was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to replace scheduled starter Luis Ortiz, who was placed on non-disciplinary leave Thursday as the subject of a Major League Baseball gambling investigation. Cleveland's bullpen retired 16 Cubs hitter in a row from the fourth until Swanson lined his second single of the game with two outs in the ninth off Clase. Key moment Back-to-back singles by Daniel Schneemann and Bo Naylor put runners at first and third with one out in the fifth. Cubs backup catcher Reese McGuire threw out Naylor as he tried to steal second, then Brayan Rocchio bounced out to end the threat. Key stat The Guardians are 9-19 since June 1. Up next Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi (3-3, 3.64 ERA) starts Friday against the Tigers in Cleveland. Cubs RHP Colin Rea (5-3, 4.37 ERA) faces St. Louis RHP Miles Mikolas (4-5, 4.76) on Friday afternoon at Wrigley. ___ AP MLB:
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Aaron Judge draws 23rd intentional walk, matches Mickey Mantle's 1957 Yankees record
TORONTO (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge drew his 23rd intentional walk of the season in the eighth inning Thursday night against Toronto, matching Mickey Mantle's 1957 team record. Baseball began tracking intentional walks in 1955. Judge matched Albert Pujols (2010) as the only player to receive 23 free passes before the All-Star break. Toronto led 6-5 when former Yankee Chad Green intentionally walked Judge with two outs and the bases empty. It was Judge's fifth intentional walk of the series, the most ever by a Yankee in a single series. Judge has 91 career intentional walks. ___
