Court Could Push Guardians Pitchers Clase And Ortiz Trial Into Fall

A federal judge is expected to push the trial of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz from May to October, according to developments discussed during a recent court hearing.

Good to Know

• Both players pleaded not guilty to gambling related federal charges.
• Prosecutors claim bettors earned at least 460000 dollars from the alleged scheme.
• Defense teams deny wrongdoing and seek separate legal proceedings.

Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto initially scheduled trial to begin May 4. During Wednesday proceedings, court indicated that timeline will likely shift to the fall, aligning with requests from defense attorneys for additional preparation.

Clase and Ortiz were charged in November 2025 with money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and other offenses tied to an alleged sports betting operation. Major League Baseball placed both players on non disciplinary leave in July 2025 when investigation became public.

Federal prosecutors allege that the pitchers accepted payments to influence certain pitches during games. Authorities say two bettors located in the Dominican Republic used advance knowledge to wager on pitch level prop markets, wager types that many regulated sportsbooks have since removed over integrity concerns.

Investigators believe bettors generated at least 460000 dollars in profits connected to those wagers. Attorneys representing bettors reject claims of coordination.

An unsealed indictment describes coded language used in text exchanges. Clase allegedly referenced terms such as rooster, chicken, and rock to signal pitch intentions.

One message cited by prosecutors instructed Clase to “throw a rock at the first rooster in today’s fight.” Clase replied: “that’s an easy toss to that rooster.”

Defense lawyers argue messages related to a legal cockfighting activity and had no connection to baseball games.

Prosecutors claim Clase influenced pitches across 48 games over two seasons and also violated league policy by using a phone during a game to alert bettors about a pitch expected outside the strike zone. That information allegedly contributed to a 27000 dollar betting win.

Ortiz is linked by investigators to two games identified as suspicious. His legal team argues he had no knowledge of any plan and has requested a separate trial.