The Cleveland Guardians are heading into spring training with clarity-albeit the kind no team ever wants. Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, two pitchers who were already absent for much of last season, will remain sidelined as the fallout from an MLB gambling investigation continues to unfold.
Both players were placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball last July and, with legal proceedings still ongoing, they will not be reporting to camp this week in Goodyear, Arizona. The league hasn’t set a timeline for resolution, but it has informed the Guardians that neither pitcher will be allowed to participate in spring training activities. And based on the severity of the allegations, there’s a growing sense around the league that their days in the majors may be over.
Clase’s case, in particular, has taken a darker turn. According to court documents, the All-Star closer is now alleged to have thrown as many as 250 suspicious pitches across nearly 50 games over a two-year span from 2023 to 2025.
To put that in perspective, Clase appeared in 197 regular-season games and seven postseason contests during that window. That means roughly one out of every four outings may have been compromised-an alarming figure for a pitcher once considered one of the most dominant late-inning arms in baseball.
For Cleveland, the scandal was a gut punch. But to their credit, they didn’t fold.
Despite losing Clase and Ortiz, the Guardians managed to repeat as AL Central champions. That resilience says a lot about the depth and adaptability of this roster-and now, with the situation clarified heading into 2026, they can move forward with a more stable plan.
One of the big reasons for that stability? Cade Smith.
The 25-year-old right-hander stepped into the closer’s role over the final two months of last season and didn’t flinch. He’ll open camp as the top option in the ninth inning, and based on his poise and stuff, the Guardians seem to be in good hands.
Hunter Gaddis also returns as a high-leverage weapon, continuing to build on his reputation as one of the more reliable setup men in the game. His ability to bridge the gap to the ninth gives Cleveland a solid late-inning formula-even without Clase.
The front office didn’t make any flashy bullpen moves this offseason, but that wasn’t the point. With the situation around Clase and Ortiz unresolved but no longer uncertain, the Guardians focused on reinforcing their depth. Quietly, that could prove to be one of the smarter strategies in the American League.
Of course, questions still linger-particularly around a young lineup that will be asked to carry a heavier load. But if last season proved anything, it’s that this team knows how to weather adversity. The Guardians aren’t just hoping for another division title-they’re building toward it, even with two major arms out of the picture.