Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on leave Thursday amid an MLB investigation, the team announced.
The team did not provide details on the investigation, saying it was “not permitted to comment further at this time.”
Ortiz, 26, will go on paid leave through the All-Star break, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic.
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The news comes just hours before Ortiz was expected to take the mound against the Chicago Cubs. With Ortiz on leave, the Guardians will turn to Joey Cantillo to start Thursday’s game.
After a promising season in 2024, in which Ortiz posted a 3.32 ERA over 37 appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was traded to the Guardians in December. He opened the season in Cleveland’s rotation, and has a 4.36 ERA over 88 2/3 innings.
In 16 starts, Ortiz has a 4-9 record. His nine losses lead the American League.
The news comes in the midst of a disappointing season for the Guardians. Despite entering the year with playoff aspirations, the team has a 40-44 record, and sits in third place in the American League Central.
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Cleveland is on a six-game losing streak entering Thursday.
This story will be updated.
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