The Cleveland Guardians have officially blocked star closer Emmanuel Clase from pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, extending his sidelining amidst an ongoing MLB sports betting investigation. This latest development follows his ban from the Dominican league and signals a deepening crisis for the talented right-hander, with significant implications for his return to Major League Baseball.
The highly anticipated return of Emmanuel Clase to the mound, even in a winter league setting, has been definitively halted. The Cleveland Guardians have confirmed they will not grant permission for their suspended All-Star closer to pitch for the Tiburones de la Guaira in Venezuela’s winter league, as reported by The Athletic’s Evan Drellich. This decision underscores the severity and ongoing nature of the Major League Baseball investigation into sports betting allegations surrounding Clase.
A Season of Uncertainty and Unanswered Questions
Clase, a prominent figure in the Guardians’ bullpen, has been on administrative leave since July 28, 2025. This followed an earlier suspension on July 3 for fellow Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz. Both suspensions were extended through the end of August, effectively ending their 2025 MLB seasons prematurely. The investigation itself was reportedly triggered by “suspicious wagering activity on Cleveland Guardians wagering events,” casting a long shadow over both pitchers’ careers.
Prior to his administrative leave, Clase, 27, was having another strong season, posting a 5-3 record with a 3.23 ERA and 24 saves in 48 appearances. He had been an American League saves leader and All-Star in the three previous campaigns, achieving a career-high 47 saves in 2024. His absence left a significant void in the Guardians’ late-inning plans.
Dominican Ban Preceded Venezuelan Denial
The denial from the Guardians for Clase to pitch in Venezuela is not his first setback this offseason. He was previously barred from participating in the winter league in his home country, the Dominican Republic, by the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana (LIDOM). Clase had sought to play for the Estrellas Orientales, his hometown team.
In response to this ban, Clase, along with teammate José Ortiz (presumably the same Luis Ortiz under investigation, often referred to by various names in reports), filed a lawsuit against LIDOM and its president, Vitelio Mejía, challenging the preemptive ban based on the Dominican constitution. Despite these legal efforts, the ban remained in place, leading Clase to explore options in other Latin American winter circuits.
Understanding MLB’s Winter League Agreements
The ability of the Guardians to block Clase from pitching for the Tiburones de la Guaira stems from specific agreements between Major League Baseball and various winter leagues. These agreements largely prohibit players under MLB contract from competing for teams outside of their “native” country without explicit consent from both MLB and their affiliated club. Since Clase is Dominican, the Guardians were within their rights to deny permission for him to play in Venezuela while he remains under investigation.
The club’s decision signals a firm stance: until the MLB gambling investigation is concluded and Clase’s status is clarified, he will remain sidelined. This commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game is paramount, regardless of a player’s desire to stay sharp during the offseason.
The Lingering Cloud Over Luis Ortiz
The situation for Clase is intrinsically linked to that of Luis Ortiz. Ortiz’s suspension on July 3 preceded Clase’s, and more details have emerged regarding the allegations against him. Reports indicate that a betting integrity firm flagged unusual betting activity on two specific pitches Ortiz threw in June: one in a June 15 start against the Seattle Mariners and another in a June 27 start against the St. Louis Cardinals. In both instances, significant wagers were placed on Ortiz throwing the first pitch of the inning for a ball, which he reportedly did with sliders well out of the strike zone, as detailed by Yahoo Sports.
While the exact nature of Clase’s alleged involvement remains less public, the fact that his locker was reportedly cleared out by early August, as also reported by Yahoo Sports, suggests the severity of the ongoing probe. The precedent set by MLB’s strict anti-gambling policies means that if either player is found to have gambled on baseball, especially their own team, they could face a lifetime ban from the sport.
Guardians’ Resilience and the Bullpen’s Future
Despite the significant loss of two key pitchers, the Cleveland Guardians demonstrated remarkable resilience in the 2025 season. The team made history by erasing a 15.5-game deficit in the AL Central, ultimately securing the division title over the Detroit Tigers. A major factor in their success was the emergence of Cade Smith as the new closer, who stepped into Clase’s shoes and performed admirably, looking like a star in the making.
The ideal scenario for Guardians fans would see Clase cleared and paired with Smith to form a dominant late-inning duo. However, as long as the investigation persists and with the Guardians’ firm stance on his playing status, such a possibility remains distant. The baseball world awaits Major League Baseball’s announcement of the investigation’s results, which will ultimately determine the future of both Clase and Ortiz in the league.
