Guardians Pitchers Clase and Ortiz Charged with Fraud and Bribery in Pitching Scheme Scandal
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been charged with fraud and bribery by federal prosecutors for allegedly manipulating pitches to benefit gamblers. The indictment, unsealed by prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, accuses Clase and Ortiz of participating in a rigged pitching scheme that allowed gamblers to win significant amounts of money. Ortiz was arrested in Boston, while Clase is not currently in custody.
The prosecutors claim that Clase collaborated with a gambler in May 2023 to throw specific pitches to facilitate prop bets, while Ortiz joined the scheme in June 2025. Gamblers reportedly won over $450,000 by betting on the outcomes of pitches thrown by both players. The indictment alleges that Clase and Ortiz were compensated for their involvement in the scheme, which deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. stated that Clase and Ortiz's actions compromised the integrity of professional sports and damaged the public's trust in the institution. Ortiz has denied the allegations through his lawyer, asserting that he has always played to win games fairly and will defend himself against the charges. Major League Baseball confirmed that they have been cooperating with law enforcement and are conducting their own investigation into the matter.
The Cleveland Guardians have pledged to cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as the investigations progress. This incident follows a recent arrest involving other sports figures in a sports gambling operation with ties to the Mafia. The MLB has taken strict action against players involved in gambling activities, including imposing a lifetime ban on Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for placing bets on baseball games.
Clase and Ortiz were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by the MLB in July after private betting investigators flagged suspicious wagers on pitches thrown by Ortiz. The potential consequences for Clase and Ortiz include up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the MLB continues to monitor the situation closely.