Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz had his non-disciplinary paid leave extended through Aug. 31 amid an investigation into gambling-related offenses, Major League Baseball said Friday.
Ortiz was placed on leave on July 3, and it was later determined that the league was looking at Ortiz for his possible involvement in gambling while pitching for Cleveland.
‘We have been informed of the extension and will fully cooperate with the investigation,’ the Guardians said in a statement.
The investigation centers on two pitches that Ortiz threw: one on June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and a game with the St. Louis Cardinals on June 27. There was unusual betting around prop bets surrounding those pitches, both sliders, against Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena and Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages.
Ortiz, 26, is in his first season with the Guardians after being acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates in December. He is 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 16 starts this season.
Cleveland (46-49) starts its second half Friday at home against the Athletics, and sits 12 games back in the AL Central behind the Detroit Tigers.