Top Gambling Industry Stories July 4: Cleveland Execs Address Team After Luis Ortiz Gambling Probe

These were your top stories to kick off the early part of Friday July 4, 2025 from the world of gambling. Last 24 Hours Gambling911 Impressions: 56655 (63857 Per Day Average Impressions This Week, 50357 Per Day Average for Month)

Guardians Execs Address Luis Ortiz Probe Following Gambling Allegations

Guardians’ executives Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff flew to Chicago on Thursday morning to address the team with manager Stephen Vogt immediately following news that right-hander Luis Ortiz was placed on a “non-disciplinary paid leave” through the All-Star break.

It was then learned that Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball for suspicion of breaking the league's rules on sports gambling. 

“We talked to the team,” said Vogt in an interview with The Plain Dealer. “We gave them the information that we had. The stuff you’ve read about is all the information we had.

“We felt it was important to address the team. This is what the situation is. This is how we’re going to handle it. And try to answer any questions.”

Antonetti, president of baseball operations, was informed by MLB just before game time on Wednesday night. By that time, Ortiz had left the club and returned to Cleveland.

“It’s not something we were expecting,” said Antonetti from the visitor’s dugout at Wrigley Field. “My mind immediately went to, ‘OK, what do we need to do next?’ There were some real practical things we needed to do.

“We wanted to make sure we were in a position to have a starting pitcher here today.”

Ortiz, a 26-year-old starting pitcher, was acquired by Cleveland from the Pittsburgh Pirates over the winter as part of the three-team trade in which the Guardians sent second baseman Andres Gimenez to the Toronto Blue Jays. With a 4-9 record and 4.36 ERA, Ortiz has been a staple in a Guardians rotation whose 4.13 ERA ranks 18th in MLB.

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