MLB trade deadline target suspended during betting investigation

The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline is fast approaching. Teams have until 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 31, to trade players on their 40-man rosters. Given the deadline, teams are right now finalizing whether they will be buyers or sellers, and as always, pitching is a priority for those teams looking to improve by the deadline.

However, one arm is now unlikely to be moved thanks to a sports betting investigation being conducted by the league.

According to ESPN, Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase — who was linked to a potential move to the Chicago Cubs in recent days — is being placed on “non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB’s sports-betting investigation.”

In a statement released by the league, it was noted that Clase’s leave will run until August 31.

The Guardians acknowledged the news in a statement of their own, noting that their closer “has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave per an agreement with the Players Association.”

Clase is the second Cleveland pitcher placed on leave as a result of an investigation into sports betting. Earlier this month, starting pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave after a betting-integrity firm flagged a pair of pitches from him that had received “unusual gambling activity.”

That leave was set to expire on July 17, but the league extended that leave through August 31 as well.

Clase was No. 8 on ESPN’s list of the top trade deadline candidates earlier in the day.

While the Guardians have struggled this season (they are currently eight games back in the American League Central) Clase has been a bright spot. The Cleveland closer, who was third in American League Cy Young voting a season ago, has 24 saves this season.