Clase's locker has been cleared out in the Guardians' clubhouse Friday as he remains under investigation by MLB, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through Aug. 31 as part of MLB's sports-betting investigation, but his locker being cleared out could signal that the Guardians don't expect Clase to be back with the team this season. Teammate Luis L. Ortiz also had his locker cleared out Friday, as he is also on paid leave in the same gambling investigation. Clase's fall from grace has been quick after he finished third in AL Cy Young voting last season. It remains to be seen if he'll pitch again in the majors.
Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Placed on leave in gambling probe
Rotowire
The Guardians announced Monday that Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through Aug. 31 as part of MLB's sports-betting investigation, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Clase becomes the second Guardians pitcher to be placed on the restricted list in connection with the investigation, as right-hander Luis L. Ortiz previously went on leave earlier in this month. The 27-year-old righty has taken a step back statistically this season but has still performed as one of baseball's top closers, notching saves in 24 of 29 chances while logging a 3.23 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 47.1 innings. The 52-53 Guardians are 3.5 games behind for the final wild-card spot in the American League and may have considered moving Clase ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, but his placement on non-disciplinary leave likely takes any potential deal off the table. While Clase is out for at least the next month, right-hander Cade Smith (3.02 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 65:17 K:BB in 44.2 innings) looks like the next man up for save chances in the Cleveland bullpen, though manager Stephen Vogt could opt for a committee approach at closer.
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Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Mixed results in doubleheader
Rotowire
Clase (5-3) took a blown save and the loss by allowing three runs on a hit and two walks over one-third of an inning in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Royals. He then pitched a perfect inning to earn a save in the second game of the twin bill.
It's rare for a reliever to be called on to pitch twice in the same day, and even rarer for the second appearance to come after the type Clase had in the day game, when he threw just six of 15 pitches for strikes. He showed a strong ability to bounce back by locking down his 24th save in 29 chances with his outing in the nightcap. He has a 3.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB through 47.1 innings over 48 appearances this. While Clase has failed to match his dominance from 2024, he remains firmly entrenched as the Guardians' closer and has mostly bounced back from an ugly start to the campaign.
Clase picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Orioles, firing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.
Clase nailed down his 23rd save of the season, and it was his seventh straight scoreless outing. The star right-hander has done an excellent job of returning to form this year after posting a 7.84 ERA through April 20. Over his last 35.2 innings, Clase sports a 1.26 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB while converting 19 of his 21 save opportunities.
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Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Secures 22nd save
Rotowire
Clase gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 22nd save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Orioles.
The Cleveland closer breezed through the bottom of Baltimore's order on 13 pitches (nine strikes). Clase has been tagged for an earned run only once in his last 14 appearances, posting a 0.59 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB over 15.1 innings during that stretch while converting eight of nine save chances.
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