MLB is investigating Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz after a pair of his pitches received unusual gambling activity, according to a report from ESPN.
The betting-integrity firm IC360 flagged two pitches in June and relayed it to sportsbook operators, the outlet reported.
The first alert was reportedly triggered by unusual betting action on the first pitch from Ortiz in the bottom of the second against the Mariners on June 15 to be a ball or hit batsman.
Ortiz proceeded to throw a slider well off the plate and below the strike zone.
On June 27, IC360 sent a second alert regarding unusual action on a pitch from Ortiz, this time the first pitch during the top of the third inning against the Cardinals to be a ball or hit batsman.
Ortiz once again bounced a slider nowhere near the zone.
Bets were flagged in Ohio, New York and New Jersey, ESPN added.
Ortiz was placed on leave by MLB due to a league gambling investigation hours before he was supposed to take the mound for Cleveland on Thursday.
The league announced that he was on non-disciplinary paid leave through the All-Star break — games resume July 18 — due to an investigation, though they didn’t announce at the time what he was under investigation for.
“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,” MLB’s statement read. “The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time, and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”
Ortiz adds to a growing list of baseball players that have been tied up in gambling investigations in recent years.
Last year, Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was banned by the league for life for betting on Pirates games while he was a member of the team.
Four other players — A’s pitcher Michael Kelly, Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank, Padres pitcher Jay Groome and Phillies infielder José Rodríguez — received one-year suspensions for betting on other teams.
Ortiz has gone 4-9 with 4.36 ERA and 96 strikeouts compared to 42 walks spanning 16 starts for the Guardians this season.
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