Publish Date: November 10, 2025, 05:33h.

Updated On: November 10, 2025, 05:36h.

• MLB Implements New Restrictions on Pitch-Level Betting
• Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Accused of Engaging with Bettors to Fix Pitches
• Ortiz Appeared in Court Today, Securing $500,000 Bail

Sportsbook operators have consented to enforce a $200 betting limit on micro-bets concerning individual pitches in Major League Baseball (MLB) contests. Furthermore, these types of wagers will not be allowed in parlay bets.

This announcement follows the recent indictment of two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians, linked to a conspiracy involving sports betting and money laundering.

MLB revealed this development this afternoon. Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that the league has partnered with sportsbook operators to establish limits on pitch-level markets, such as ball/strike calls and pitch speed, to reduce manipulation incentives and safeguard game integrity, particularly in light of the allegations involving Guardians’ pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz.

FBI Charges

As per an indictment made public yesterday, Clase and Ortiz are purported to have collaborated with bettors, manipulating pitches during MLB matches, resulting in over $400,000 in illegal winnings for gamblers, part of which was reportedly returned to the pitchers.

Clase is believed to have engaged with bettors since May 2023, altering pitch outcomes, while Ortiz participated for the first time in June. Both players face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services fraud conspiracy, bribery conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy.

In one notable incident involving Clase, he invited a bettor to an April game, where they communicated by phone prior to Clase pitching. Shortly after their conversation, the bettor won $11,000 on a bet predicting that Clase would throw a pitch below 97.95 mph.

Game Integrity Concerns

Both pitchers are facing a cumulative maximum of 65 years imprisonment on various charges.

“Since the Supreme Court’s ruling that legalized sports betting, Major League Baseball has been actively engaging with industry and regulatory stakeholders nationwide to ensure our fundamental priority: maintaining the integrity of our games for our fans,” stated Manfred. “I would like to acknowledge Ohio Governor [Mike] DeWine for his exceptional leadership on this issue throughout recent months. Additionally, I applaud the industry’s collaborative efforts with us toward a national solution aimed at addressing the integrity risks associated with pitch-level markets, which are particularly prone to manipulation risks.

“We are eager to continue our collaboration with all parties, including licensed sports betting operators, lawmakers, and regulators, to ensure the ongoing protection of our game’s integrity.”

Identifying Unusual Betting Trends

FanDuel serves as the official sportsbook for MLB. Both FanDuel and DraftKings—two of the nation’s largest sportsbook operators—have committed to MLB’s stipulations.

A DraftKings representative commented: “Recent developments across professional sports illustrate that the legal, regulated sports betting sector is achieving its intended objectives—enhancing transparency, accountability, and safeguarding the integrity of the sport. In partnership with Major League Baseball, we have modified certain wager types to further deter improper behavior while ensuring fairness and trust in the game.”

FanDuel President Christian Genetski assured that authorized sportsbook operators remain dedicated to collaborating with sports leagues to maintain integrity in sports wagering.

According to ESPN, MLB has been discussing with authorized sportsbook partners since last summer after identifying unusual betting practices in games featuring Ortiz as a pitcher.

Ortiz appeared in a federal court in Boston today and was subsequently released on a $500,000 bail.