Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted on federal charges for allegedly rigging pitches in exchange for bribes from sports bettors, marking one of the most significant gambling scandals in Major League Baseball history. The indictment, unsealed Sunday, accuses the players of participating in a scheme that enabled gamblers to win over $450,000 from 2023 to 2025 by betting on specific pitch outcomes.
Prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York charged Clase and Ortiz with multiple counts, including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. The allegations state that the pitchers provided advance notice of pitch types and outcomes to bettors, primarily from the Dominican Republic, allowing them to place prop bets on individual pitches during games. This scheme allegedly deprived the Guardians and MLB of their honest services and defrauded online betting platforms.
Specific instances of rigged pitches detailed in the indictment include Clase throwing intentional balls or slower pitches on the first pitch of innings. For example, in a May 2023 game against the New York Mets, Clase tipped that he would throw a pitch faster than 94.95 mph, leading to a $27,000 win for bettors. Similarly, in June 2023, he spiked a slider well short of home plate, resulting in a $38,000 payout. Ortiz joined the scheme in June 2025, allegedly receiving $5,000 to throw a ball on the first pitch of the second inning in a game against the Seattle Mariners.
Financial aspects of the scheme involved kickbacks, with Clase and Ortiz receiving payments for their cooperation. Prosecutors cited text messages and bank records showing Clase withdrawing large sums of cash and directing Ortiz to lie about money transfers, claiming they were for “a horse.” In one instance, Clase provided $15,000 to a bettor to wager on a rigged pitch by Ortiz, which resulted in an $18,000 win when the pitch landed far outside the strike zone.
Both players have denied the charges through their attorneys. Ortiz’s lawyer, Chris Georgalis, stated that his client “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game” and that payments were for lawful activities. Clase’s attorney, Michael J. Ferrara, affirmed his client’s innocence, emphasizing Clase’s dedication to baseball and his intention to fight the charges in court. Ortiz was arrested Sunday in Boston and is scheduled to appear in court Monday, while Clase is not in custody.
Major League Baseball and the Cleveland Guardians have placed Clase and Ortiz on non-disciplinary paid leave since July, when unusual betting activity was flagged. MLB issued a statement confirming cooperation with federal law enforcement and an ongoing investigation. The Guardians echoed this, pledging full cooperation with authorities. MLB’s strict anti-gambling rules could lead to severe penalties, including lifetime bans, similar to the case of San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano last year.
This scandal is part of a broader federal crackdown on sports betting, following recent arrests in the NBA involving figures like Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups. The 2018 Supreme Court decision that legalized sports betting in many states has heightened concerns about integrity in professional sports, with this case representing a severe breach of trust in America’s pastime. The pervasiveness of legalized gambling has forced leagues to bolster monitoring and enforcement efforts.
Looking ahead, Clase and Ortiz face potential prison sentences of up to 20 years on the top charges if convicted. Their legal proceedings will unfold in the coming months, with MLB’s internal investigation likely to result in disciplinary action. The outcome could have lasting implications for how sports leagues manage gambling risks and protect game integrity, as this case underscores the vulnerabilities in an era of expanded sports betting.
