Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been placed on unpaid, non-disciplinary leave as they await trial in connection with an alleged pitch-rigging scheme. The move was announced Friday after an agreement between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA).
The designation of unpaid, non-disciplinary leave means that Clase and Ortiz are currently removed from the team’s active roster and are not receiving salary during this period, but MLB has not classified the action as a formal disciplinary measure or suspension. Instead, it is a temporary roster and employment status that allows the legal process to move forward without the players participating in games or team activities.
The Guardians now must proceed with their preparations for the season without two pitchers who had been in the organization’s plans. With Clase and Ortiz on leave, Cleveland is expected to rely on other members of its pitching staff to cover the innings and roles that might otherwise have involved the two right-handers. The club will also have the flexibility to make corresponding roster moves to reinforce its pitching depth while the leave remains in effect.
The agreement between MLB and the MLBPA underscores that both the league and the players’ union are treating the situation as an ongoing legal matter, rather than reaching any final conclusions about the alleged conduct. Non-disciplinary leave is often used in cases where serious allegations are pending but have not yet been resolved in court or through a league investigation.
Details of the alleged pitch-rigging scheme, the specific charges involved, and the exact timetable for trial have not been disclosed in this announcement. No further information was immediately provided regarding potential league discipline, future eligibility, or how long Clase and Ortiz are expected to remain on leave.
For now, the players’ status will depend on the progress of the legal process and any additional decisions made jointly by MLB, the MLBPA, and the Guardians organization. Until there is a legal resolution or a new agreement between the parties, Clase and Ortiz will remain on unpaid, non-disciplinary leave and unavailable for on-field competition.
