Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary leave on Thursday due to a gambling investigation by Major League Baseball, two people with knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press.

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the nature of the investigation.

The investigation is related to in-game prop bets on two pitches thrown by Ortiz that received higher activity than usual during his starts at Seattle on June 15 and his recent outing against St. Louis on June 27. The gambling activity on the pitches was flagged by a betting-integrity firm and forwarded to MLB.

ESPN reported the firm IC360 recently also sent an alert to sportsbook operators regarding Ortiz.

The Athletic was the first to report that Ortiz’s suspension was related to gambling.

MLB said Ortiz’s paid leave is through the end of the All-Star break, when players return to their teams July 17 and games resume the following day. It can be extended if the investigation remains ongoing.

Nationals’ Wood joins Home Run Derby >> Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood became the third player to announce he will take part in the Home Run Derby.

The derby will be held on July 14, the night before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Wood joins Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 33 homers, in the contest.

Wood has 22 homers this season. He’s the third Nationals player to take part in the Home Run Derby, joining Juan Soto (2022) and Bryce Harper (2013 and ‘18).

Dodgers’ Muncy on injured list >> Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy went on the injured list with a left knee bone bruise.

He had a MRI that showed no structural damage. He’s expected to be out about six weeks.

He left in the sixth inning Wednesday night after a collision with Chicago White Sox center fielder Michael A. Taylor, who was attempting a steal. Muncy took a throw from catcher Will Smith and tagged out Taylor.

Boxing

Chávez arrested and will be deported >> Famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested for entering US illegally and will be deported to Mexico, where he faces organized crime charges, federal officials said.

The arrest comes only days after the former middleweight champion fought in a match against Jake Paul in Anaheim.

The Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Chávez for overstaying a tourist visa that expired in February 2024 after he entered the country in August 2023.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services flagged ICE about Chávez last year, saying he “is an egregious public safety threat,” and yet he was allowed back into the country Jan. 4.

Golf

Ghim sets pace >> Doug Ghim holed out for eagle on the par-4 sixth hole and kept bogeys off his card on a day of low scoring. He opened with a 9-under 62 in a bid to become the latest first-time PGA Tour winner at the John Deere Classic.

Ghim had a one-shot lead over Max Homa and Austin Eckroat at the TPC Deere Run, where the winning score has been 20-under par or lower 12 of the last 15 years.

With a little more wind in the afternoon, the best anyone could do was 65 by four players, including Cameron Champ and Mexico Open winner Brian Campbell.

NBA

jury convicts former NBA player >> Former NBA player Ben McLemore has been found guilty of raping a 21-year-old woman during a lake house party attended by many of his then-teammates from the Portland Trail Blazers, a jury ruled.