Federal trial of ex-Guardians pitchers Clase and Ortiz opens in Brooklyn over pitch-rigging bets
Prosecutors say Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz took bribes to alter individual pitches for bettors. Both deny nothing yet in court terms: they are on bail, unconvicted, and face up to 65 years if found guilty on all counts.
GamblingSource: GamblingNews
The federal trial of former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz got under way on Monday in Brooklyn. Prosecutors allege that the two players accepted bribes to change individual pitches so that certain sports bettors could profit. Jurors will decide whether the pitchers deliberately manipulated their performances to affect sportsbook lines.
According to the prosecution, the scheme let gambling associates based in the Dominican Republic win money on bets tied to pitch speed, location and other narrow outcomes. The operation allegedly produced hundreds of thousands of dollars in winnings, while the players were paid for the manipulated plays.
The pitchers face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests through bribery. A conviction on every count could bring up to 65 years in prison. Both men are out on bail, have been away from the field during the investigation, and have not been convicted of any offense.
The government's case points to 18 pitches thrown by Clase between 2023 and 2025. Prosecutors say he shared advance information about his plans, so connected bettors knew where and how fast a delivery would be. In one instance, bettors reportedly won about $27,000 by wagering that a particular pitch would exceed 94.95 mph. The indictment further says Clase brought Ortiz into the arrangement in 2025, and that bettors won at least $450,000 on wagers tied to pitches by the two players. Not every bet paid off: one involving a swing at a pitch in the dirt by Los Angeles Dodgers player Andy Page lost money for the group.
Prosecutors also cite alleged communications between the bettors and the players, including coded messages said to signal how the next pitch should be thrown. They say a phone used in the bullpen during one game raised further suspicion, because it could have let the gamblers anticipate the type of pitch.
The case highlights a wider integrity challenge. In-play and prop betting lets fans wager on small details within a game, which means manipulation can be confined to a single play. The trial's outcome could add pressure on leagues and regulators to strengthen their sports integrity measures.
Based on reporting by GamblingNews.