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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

It's rare for a reliever to be called on to pitch twice in the same day, and perhaps even rarer for a 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's added a 3.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB through 47.1 innings over 48 appearances. While Clase has failed to match his dominance from 2024, he remains firmly entrenched as the Guardians' closer.

Clase picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Orioles, firing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Clase got two outs in a scoreless ninth to pick up the save, allowing one hit while striking out two, during Friday's 8-6 win over the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

The Guardians had an 8-3 lead entering the ninth inning with starter Slade Cecconi still in the game, but the Cleveland closer was asked to get the final two outs as Cecconi allowed three runs. One of those was a runner that Clase inherited, but he buckled down and picked up two strikeouts to earn his 21st save of the season. The 27-year-old hasn't looked quite as good as last year, during which he had an 0.61 ERA in 74.1 innings pitched, but he's currently in the midst of a 13-game stretch dating back to June 17 in which he's allowed just one earned run.

Clase recorded his 20th save of the season in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran needed 10 pitches (seven strikes) to dispatch the top of Chicago's order. Clase has been tagged for earned runs only twice in 17 appearances since the beginning of June, posting a 1.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 17.1 innings during that stretch while converting eight of 10 save chances.

Clase earned the save against the Astros on Monday by throwing a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Clase rebounded from Sunday's blown save against the Tigers by retiring the Astros in order Monday, closing out a 7-5 win by inducing three groundouts. His 2025 numbers -- a 3.20 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 39.1 innings -- aren't anywhere near as eye-popping as last season's 0.61 ERA and 0.66 WHIP in 74.1 innings, but the flamethrower's underlying metrics remain strong. A 2.49 FIP this year compared to 2.22 in 2024 suggests he's still pitching at a high level. The jump in walk rate to 2.3 BB/9, his highest since 2019, has certainly contributed to the statistical dip, but Clase remains a top-tier reliever.

Clase allowed a run in one inning during Sunday's extra-inning loss against Detroit. He hit one batter and struck out one while being charged with a blown save.

EDGE Analysis

Clase entered a 1-0 game in the ninth inning and started by hitting Spencer Torkelson. Torkelson was replaced by Zach McKinstry, who stole second and eventually scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Clase was charged with his first blown save since June 14 and is now 18 for 22 in save chances this season. He hasn't picked up a save since June 22 and is now sporting a 3.29 ERA with a 39:10 K:BB through 38.1 frames.

Clase picked up the save in Sunday's 3-0 win against the Athletics, allowing two hits and one walk in a scoreless inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

The Cleveland closer was shaky in this 31-pitch appearance to collect a save for the second consecutive day. Clase loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before securing the win by inducing a Lawrence Butler groundout to wrap the contest. After pitching to an uncharacteristic 6.75 ERA through April 30, Clase has been back to his old self since then with a 1.33 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB across 20.1 frames while going 13-for-14 in save chances.