Cleveland pitcher placed on non-disciplinary leave by MLB amid investigation

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Cleveland Guardians announced Thursday that pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave.

“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. The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process,” according to a news release.

The Athletic is reporting that sources say the probe is related to gambling.

According to Major League Baseball (MLB), Ortiz will remain on leave through the end of the All-Stark break, which is later this month.

The 26-year old Ortiz is in his first season with Cleveland after he was acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh last December. The right-hander is 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 16 starts this season. The nine losses are tied for the most in the American League.

Ortiz was slated to be the starting pitcher for Thursday night’s game at the Chicago Cubs. Instead, left-hander Joey Cantillo will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus. Cantillo is 1-0 with one save and a 3.81 ERA in 21 appearances this season.

Cleveland (40-44) has dropped a season-high six straight games and is 9-18 since May 1.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.