MLB Issues New Directives To Guardians For Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz
Emmanuel Clase and fellow right-handed Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz both started the 2026 season on administrative leave. Both pitchers are currently away from the team for their involvement in a sports betting scandal. The Eastern District Court of New York is investigating multiple conspiracy charges against Clase and Ortiz.
On Saturday, MLB issued a statement regarding an update on the status of Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz heading into Opening Day. Clase and Ortiz will continue to be on non-disciplinary leave, but they will no longer receive pay from the Guardians until the conclusion of the legal proceedings against them.
“As the legal proceedings involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz continue to move forward, MLB and the MLBPA have agreed that both players will remain on non-disciplinary leave from the club without pay until further notice,” the statement read.
“This agreement is not an admission of any wrongdoing by Clase or Ortiz. MLB has been closely monitoring the matter since alerting federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and will have no further comment until its investigation has been completed.”
Emmanuel Clase was scheduled to earn $6.4 million this year with a $10 million club option in 2027 and 2028: ‘As the legal proceedings involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz continue to move forward, MLB and the MLBPA have agreed that both players…
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 20, 2026
The two Guardians pitchers pleaded not guilty to bribery, fraud, and conspiracy charges against them. Both are accused of throwing specific pitches at predetermined situations to benefit gamblers. The trials were initially on May 4, but the emergence of new evidence prompted the judge to postpone them by an additional 6 months.
Cleveland Guardians Option Logan Allen to Bring in Rookie Pitcher
The Guardians revealed Tanner Bibee as their Opening Day starter. Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, and Joey Cantillo also kept their spots in the starting rotation. However, the Guardians optioned Logan Allen to Triple-A, with the rookie Parker Messick taking his place on the major league roster.
Guardians starting rotation to begin season:
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) March 21, 2026
Tanner Bibee
Gavin Williams
Slade Cecconi
Joey Cantillo
Parker Messick
Logan Allen optioned to Triple-A.
“It was super tough to make a move like this,” manager Stephen Vogt said about the decision from the Cleveland Guardians. “Logan has been a huge part of what we’ve done over the last two years. He’ll still be part of it, but it just won’t be on Opening Day.”
Allen made 79 starts for Cleveland over his three seasons in the MLB, helping the team to successive division titles. The 27-year-old right-hander made 30 appearances for the Guardians last season, posting 156.2 innings with a 4.25 ERA.
MLB Issues New Directives To Guardians For Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz
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