CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians’ new clubhouse at Progressive Field was shiny and nearly empty Monday afternoon following the news that Emmanuel Clase, the franchise leader in saves, had been placed on leave by MLB for gambling allegations.

The MLB Players’ Association added credence and gravity to the situation by agreeing to the leave. The situation became even more serious as Clase was the second Guardians pitcher in less than a month to be placed on leave for gambling-related issues.

Luis Ortiz was placed on leave on July 3. His investigation was supposed to end on July 17 but was extended to Aug. 31 to match Clase’s. “It’s believed MLB’s investigation into Ortiz uncovered information about Clase that led to him being removed from the active roster.

MLB released its decision on Clase just before 1 p.m.

“I found out the same time everyone else did,” said right-hander Cade Smith. “Of course, it’s a shock.”

Manager Stephen Vogt and Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, met with the staff and players to discuss Clase’s situation.

It was clear that the players had been asked to say as little as possible about the situation.

“That (stinks). He’s part of the team and it (stinks) for him not to be here today,” said Smith, who will be part of the closer-by-committee to replace Clase.

Catcher Austin Hedges, who calls Clase the best pitcher in the world, told the team’s PR department that he preferred not to answer questions pertaining to Clase and Ortiz. Last season Hedges caught Ortiz when they were teammates in Pittsburgh.

Clase, a three-time All-Star, has been the most dominant closer in the American League for the last four years. He is a hard pitcher to replace.

“It’s shocking, of course,” said lefty Erik Sabrowski, another reliever who could be asked to change roles. “It’s probably not my place to comment.

“We have plenty of capable guys to pitch in any situation.”

Center fielder Angel Martinez, when asked about Clase, just smiled and said, “No comment.”

Left fielder Steven Kwan delivered the same message, but in a different way, when he said, “I prefer not to comment on that.”

Shane Bieber, who will make a rehab start on Wednesday, was asked how a team approaches a game after losing a key player to a suspension or injury.

“We’re focused on tonight’s game regardless of who’s going to be out there,” said Bieber, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. “I know everybody’s continuing to go about their work … We have no choice but to keep our heads down and keep rolling.”

Clase and Ortiz face penalties that could lead to them being banned for life. If they were to return to the team after their investigations conclude, would their teammates still trust them?

“Well, they won’t be walking back into the clubhouse at least through August 31st,” said Antonetti. “So, I am not sure that’s something we’ll have to navigate in the near term.”

Ortiz is signed to a one-year deal with four years of club control left at the end of this season. Clase is signed through 2026 with club options for 2027 and 2028.

Would the Guardians have to pay either one of them if they were suspended for a year?

MLB and MLBPA make that decision should things reach that point.