Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase — a rumored MLB trade deadline target — has been placed on paid leave in connection with a sports-gambling investigation, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Monday. Clase is reportedly on leave through Aug. 31, per The Athletic's Zack Meisel.

The Cleveland Guardians were rolling and playing some of their best baseball of the season coming out of the All-Star Break. However, they hit a roadblock in Missouri with a series loss against the Kansas City Royals. The Guardians split Saturday’s doubleheader but lost Sunday’s rubber match in a frustrating fashion.

The Royals welcome the Atlanta Braves to Kauffman Stadium on Monday night. KC left-hander Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80 ERA) will make his second MLB start of the season opposite right-handed Braves ace Spencer Strider (4-8, 3.72 ERA).

KANSAS CITY — The Guardians have exchanged one infielder for another before opening their three-game series against the Royals on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium. They’ve activated Gabriel Arias from the injured list and optioned Will Wilson to Triple-A Columbus. Arias was placed on the IL with a sprained left ankle on June 30.

On Sunday afternoon, the Royals secured a series win over the Guardians with a big win. Their extension of Seth Lugo makes that sting a little more.

The club announced that Friday’s series opener was postponed due to inclement weather. Heavy rains arrived around 5:10 p.m. Central and both teams were notified that the game will be rescheduled as a part of a split doubleheader on Saturday.

Royals get surprising extra-inning bomb from Jonathan India and walk off Guardians in first game of doubleheader