Clase, Ortiz to remain on leave 'until further notice'

CLEVELAND -- Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz will remain on non-disciplinary paid leave “until further notice,” MLB announced on Sunday, while the league continues its investigation involving sports gambling.

Clase and Ortiz were each slated to be on leave through Sunday, prior to the announcement.

MLB initially placed Ortiz on leave through the All-Star break on July 3, before extending it on July 18 through Aug. 31. Clase was initially placed on leave on July 28, also through Aug. 31.

The league’s announcement on Sunday reads, in full: "MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to extend the non-disciplinary paid leave of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz until further notice while MLB continues its investigation. We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.”

In a statement Sunday, the Guardians said, "We have been informed of the extension and will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation."

Though a timeline for a resolution in the investigation is unclear, the Guardians entered Sunday with just 28 games remaining in the regular season, with their finale slated for Sept. 28.

Ortiz and Clase are permitted contact with the Guardians organization while on leave, but they are not allowed to access Progressive Field and team facilities.

Clase has recorded a 3.23 ERA in 47 1/3 innings over 48 appearances this season while converting 24 of 29 save opportunities. Cade Smith has received the bulk of Cleveland’s save opportunities since Clase was placed on leave. Since July 28, he has converted six of his nine chances while recording a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings over 16 appearances.

Cleveland acquired Ortiz from the Pirates on Dec. 10 last offseason, in a trade involving first baseman Spencer Horwitz. The 26-year-old has recorded a 4.36 ERA in 88 2/3 innings over 16 starts and is under club control through 2029.

After Ortiz was placed on leave, the Guardians promoted lefty Joey Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus on July 3 to assume the vacated spot in their starting rotation. Cantillo made eight starts before Cleveland optioned him back to the Clippers on Aug. 17.

The Guardians selected Parker Messick from Columbus three days later, and he has allowed one run in 13 2/3 innings over two starts (0.66 ERA) since he made his big league debut on Aug. 20.