Major League Baseball has agreed to provide documentation to a Senate committee investigating gambling-related misconduct, as ongoing federal charges and league inquiries continue to make waves in professional sports. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have requested this information from Commissioner Rob Manfred, with a submission deadline of December 5.
This probe comes in response to allegations against Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who prosecutors say accepted substantial sums from gamblers in the Dominican Republic to influence the outcomes of specific pitches.
Authorities claim this scheme enabled bettors to win approximately $460,000 on prop bets related to pitch speed and results, including pitches intentionally thrown into the dirt. Both athletes have entered pleas of not guilty and could face up to 65 years in prison if found guilty. They are expected back in court on December 2.
Following the detection of unusual betting activity during games in April, May, and June, Ortiz and Clase were placed on paid leave in July. Manfred indicated that the league’s investigation is ongoing: “We feel that the offseason provides an opportunity to conduct the most thorough investigation possible,” he stated.
In light of the indictments, MLB has introduced new regulations on betting markets. Licensed gaming operators are now restricted to prop bets on individual pitches capped at $200 and are mandated to exclude these bets from parlay wagers.
“The adjustments we’ve made to limit the size of prop bets and prohibit parlays off them are significant changes that should lessen the temptation for anyone to engage in improper behavior,” Manfred said.
During a press conference at a recent owners’ meeting, he affirmed the league’s intent to fully cooperate with lawmakers. “We will respond thoroughly, promptly, and transparently to the Senate’s inquiries,” he remarked.
The commissioner also noted that MLB is actively supporting players facing online threats tied to gambling issues. “We offer services for players who experience these threats, providing assistance through law enforcement,” he explained.
These events unfold as the NBA faces its own series of legal challenges surrounding betting. In October, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Hall of Fame coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers were arrested amid separate FBI probes. Billups is accused of being involved in illegal poker games linked to organized crime, while Rozier allegedly provided insider information to alter prop bets from 2023 to 2024.
He had previously been cleared by the NBA. “Terry was exonerated by the NBA, and these prosecutors reopened a non-case,” asserted his attorney. “Terry is not a gambler, but he is ready to defend himself.” Former NBA player Damon Jones has also been implicated.
Manfred refrained from commenting on MLB’s collective bargaining strategies ahead of the labor contract expiration in December 2026. He emphasized the importance of uninterrupted seasons. “Since I started working in baseball, we have not lost a single game, and I aim to keep that record intact,” he said.
He confirmed that the upcoming Field of Dreams Game will take place again in Iowa on August 13, with a showdown between Minnesota and Philadelphia, and mentioned progress on the restoration of Tropicana Field post-hurricane damage.