MLB Shock Waves: Guardians’ Clase and Ortiz Indicted in Pitch-Rigging Betting Scheme

guardians pitchers betting

In a bombshell development that’s rattling the baseball world, two Cleveland Guardians pitchers—reliever Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz—have been indicted on federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated betting scheme. Prosecutors say they manipulated specific pitches during games to benefit gamblers, undermining the integrity of Major League Baseball.

What the Indictment Says

According to a 23-page federal indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of New York, Clase and Ortiz conspired with at least two bettors—reportedly in the Dominican Republic—to rig proposition bets on individual pitches.

The bettors made wagers on things like whether a pitch would be a ball or strike, or whether it would exceed a certain speed.
Prosecutors say Clase began the scheme as early as May 2023.
Ortiz allegedly joined in June 2025.
In one pitch-rigging example, Ortiz is accused of throwing an intentional ball on June 15, 2025 (his first pitch of the second inning) in exchange for $5,000.
A few weeks later, on June 27, Ortiz allegedly agreed to throw another “ball” first pitch for $7,000, with Clase facilitating the connection.
In other instances, Clase is accused of directly receiving bribes, arranging bets, and even using his cell phone during games—contrary to MLB rules—to coordinate with the bettors.

Prosecutors allege the bettors won at least $400,000 to $460,000 as a result of these manipulated bets.

Legal Charges & Potential Penalties

Both Clase and Ortiz face serious federal charges, including:

Wire fraud conspiracy
Honest services wire fraud conspiracy
Conspiracy to influence a sporting contest by bribery
Money laundering conspiracy

If convicted on all counts, each could face up to 65 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

Responses & Legal Status

Luis Ortiz was arrested at Boston’s Logan International Airport and has pleaded not guilty.
He was released on $500,000 bond with GPS monitoring, surrendering his passport, and restricted travel.
Emmanuel Clase also pleaded not guilty. He posted $600,000 bond, is under GPS supervision, and surrendered his passport.
Both players are barred from gambling and traveling freely, per court conditions.

Their legal teams staunchly deny wrongdoing: Ortiz’s lawyer called the case “weak and circumstantial,” insisting that the financial transactions in question were legitimate. Clase’s attorney says his client “devoted his life to baseball” and looks forward to clearing his name.

MLB & Guardians’ Reaction

MLB placed both players on paid leave in July, after flagging suspicious betting activity.
The Guardians have stated they are fully cooperating with both federal investigators and the league.
Importantly, MLB confirmed that it referred its betting integrity concerns to law enforcement early in the process.
Under MLB’s rules (specifically Rule 21), if the league determines the evidence is solid, it could impose a lifetime ban.

Why This Is a Major Deal

The alleged scheme represents one of the most serious gambling scandals in modern MLB history.
It also underscores growing concerns about sports betting integrity, especially as more types of in-game bets (like prop bets on individual pitches) become mainstream.
The case doesn’t just threaten the careers of Clase and Ortiz—it raises broader questions about how gambling overlaps with professional sports and whether existing oversight is sufficient.

What Happens Next

Court Proceedings: Both pitchers are due back in court (Clase and Ortiz) on Dec. 2 for further proceedings.
MLB Discipline: Even before a verdict, MLB could move to discipline them based on its own investigation.
Industry Impact: Regulators, leagues, and betting platforms may face increasing pressure to tighten rules around in-game wagering and athlete conduct.

FAQ

What exactly are Clase and Ortiz accused of doing?

Prosecutors say they took bribes to intentionally manipulate the type and speed of pitches (e.g., throwing balls instead of strikes) so that bettors could place prop bets with a high chance of success.

How much money did the bettors allegedly make?

According to the indictment, the bettors won at least $400,000 to $460,000 from rigged bets on Clase’s and Ortiz’s pitches.

What are the criminal charges?

They’re charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence a sporting contest by bribery.

What could happen to them legally?

If convicted on all counts, they could face up to 65 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

Will MLB ban them?

It’s possible. MLB rules could allow a lifetime ban, especially if the league determines there’s enough evidence to support discipline under its own standards.

What has been their response?

Both Clase and Ortiz have pleaded not guilty. Their legal teams deny the allegations, calling them unfounded or exaggerated.

Is this the first gambling scandal in MLB?

No—but it’s among the most serious in recent years, particularly because it involves in-game manipulation by pitchers.

This case marks a dramatic moment for MLB and raises deep questions about sports integrity, gambling oversight, and how the league protects its trust with fans.

Source:

https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/guardians-pitchers-ortiz-and-clase-face-federal-charges-in-alleged-betting-scheme-516326
https://www.crunchsports.com/baseball/congress-demands-answers-mlb-betting-scandal-guardians-pitchers-indictments/
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/09/sport/baseball-mlb-guardians-emmanuel-clase-luis-ortiz
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/nyregion/mlb-pitchers-gambling.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq50pjzg0pyo