Publication Date: November 9, 2025, 05:48h.

Last updated: November 9, 2025, 05:48h.

• Cleveland Guardians pitchers implicated in scheme to manipulate pitching outcomes for gambling profits
• Latest charges underscore ongoing legal challenges in professional sports betting
• Ortiz scheduled for court appearance tomorrow; Clase remains at large

Two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians have become the latest professional athletes to face indictments concerning gambling-related offenses.

Recent reports reveal that indictments filed in a federal court in Brooklyn accuse Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz of accepting significant payoffs from two gamblers from the Dominican Republic in exchange for manipulating game pitch outcomes. According to court filings, these actions led the gamblers to win $460,000 through betting on specific pitch speeds and outcomes.

Ortiz Taken Into Custody

The accusations against the players include wire fraud and conspiracy to influence the outcomes of games through bribery and money laundering. This past summer, both pitchers were placed on paid leave by Major League Baseball due to investigations stemming from unusual betting patterns observed during games.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York stated that starting in May 2023, Clase collaborated with gamblers to manipulate prop bets linked to the pitch types and speeds he delivered. Bettors utilized advanced information gleaned through coordination with Clase, at times in real-time during MLB games.

Manipulating Pitch Outcomes

To guarantee that certain pitches were classified as balls, Clase was reported to have thrown many pitches into the dirt, far from the strike zone. Not only was he rewarded with kickbacks from the gamblers for sharing pitch information, but he is also accused of occasionally providing funds upfront to sustain this operation.

Ortiz was allegedly drawn into this scheme in June. Prior to a June 15 MLB game, he purportedly agreed to collaborate with accomplices on a specific pitch in return for bribes. Bettors reportedly offered Ortiz a $5,000 incentive for executing the manipulated pitch, with Clase also receiving $5,000 for facilitating the arrangement.

Players Already on Leave

The indictment provides details on other instances where the players are said to have rigged pitch outcomes for financial gain.

Ortiz was apprehended by the FBI at Boston Logan International Airport today, with a court appearance scheduled for tomorrow. Clase, aged 27 and also from the Dominican Republic, has not yet been taken into custody.

Pitch Manipulation Scandal

“Professional athletes like Luis Leandro Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz occupy a position of trust—not only towards their teammates and leagues but also with fans who believe in fairness in sports,” stated Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

“As alleged, the defendants compromised that trust by engaging in pitch manipulation. This act not only betrayed the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball’s integrity but also defrauded betting platforms involved in these transactions. Furthermore, they undermined the essence of America’s beloved pastime.”

“Integrity and fair competition are fundamental values in professional sports,” he emphasized. “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it tarnishes not only those involved but also erodes public confidence in an institution that is treasured by many. The charges today highlight our commitment to vigorously pursue individuals who corrupt sports through illicit practices.”

Wider Context of Betting Scandals

Ortiz’s legal representative has refuted the allegations in a statement to ESPN. MLB has acknowledged awareness of the indictments and confirmed that its investigation remains ongoing.

Recently, an NBA betting scandal erupted, leading to the arrest of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who allegedly withdrew from an NBA game in 2023 while playing for the Charlotte Hornets to enable bettors to profit from prop bets.

On the same day, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, alongside former NBA player Damon Jones, faced arrest for alleged involvement in an illicit poker operation allegedly linked to New York crime families, resulting in significant financial losses for many individuals.

Potential Sentencing Outcomes

Both MLB players remain under contract for the upcoming season. Ortiz, who is a starting pitcher, holds a contract worth $820,000 annually and has total career earnings of $2.26 million, according to Spotrac. Clase, a distinguished MLB pitcher and a three-time All-Star, is set to earn $6.4 million in 2026, with career earnings totaling $15.3 million.

If found guilty, each player could face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conspiracy charge, 20 years for honest services wire fraud conspiracy, up to five years for conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and 20 years for the money laundering conspiracy count.