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Luis Ortiz, the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, entered a not-guilty plea in New York after federal prosecutors accused him of accepting bribes to influence individual pitches during games. The case involves conduct dating back to 2023 and has drawn national attention due to the involvement of teammate Emmanuel Clase.
Good to Know
Ortiz, age 26, appeared in Brooklyn court on Wednesday following his arrest on Sunday. Federal prosecutors allege that he manipulated pitch outcomes for gamblers. Court filings outline strict conditions for his release, including surrendering his passport, GPS monitoring, and a ban on gambling, firearms, and contact with anyone tied to the investigation.
He did not comment when reporters approached him after the hearing.
Ortiz and Clase face potential sentences reaching up to 65 years if convicted on all counts. Prosecutors charged them with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery.
Emmanuel Clase is expected to appear in the same Brooklyn courthouse on Thursday. His lawyer released a statement insisting on his innocence:
“Emmanuel Clase has devoted his life to baseball and doing everything in his power to help his team win.”
Prosecutors outlined the case earlier in the week. Joseph Nocella, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, said in a statement:
“Professional athletes, like Luis Leandro Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz, hold a position of trust – not only with their teammates and their professional leagues, but with fans who believe in fair play. As alleged, the defendants sold that trust to gamblers by fixing pitches. In doing so, the defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services. They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime.”
Major League Baseball and its sportsbook partners responded quickly. The league has introduced a $200 limit for pitch-level betting markets, a control aimed at lowering risks tied to micro-betting integrity.
Both Ortiz and Clase remain on unpaid disciplinary leave while the case continues.
They face multiple federal charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery.
He must follow GPS monitoring, remain within Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio, avoid gambling, avoid firearms, and maintain zero contact with anyone linked to the case.
Ortiz was released on a $500,000 bond.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday and denies all wrongdoing.
MLB introduced a $200 maximum bet on pitch-level markets to reduce risks connected to micro-betting manipulation.