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A federal case is unfolding around two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, alleging involvement in a coordinated plan to influence pitch outcomes for gambling profit. The matter has drawn national attention because it touches professional sport integrity, online betting markets, and player trust.
Good to Know
According to an announcement from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz now face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.
Ortiz was arrested in Boston and is expected to appear in federal court there before being transferred to New York. Clase is not currently in U.S. custody. Major League Baseball placed both players on paid leave earlier in the season.
Authorities claim the pitchers coordinated with outside bettors to predetermine the outcome of certain pitches in MLB games. Those bettors then placed prop wagers with online platforms, using information that would not be available to the public.
The indictment outlines allegations that Clase began sharing advance knowledge of his pitch selections in May 2023. Prosecutors state that he intentionally threw balls in the dirt at times when gamblers had placed wagers on the outcome.
“To ensure certain pitches were called as balls, Clase threw many of them in the dirt, well outside the strike zone,” the release notes.
The bettors, investigators claim, placed thousands of dollars on wagers informed by this coordination.
Prosecutors also allege that Classe received bribe payments and occasionally advanced funds to the gamblers.
Ortiz is said to have joined the arrangement in June 2025. Ahead of a game on June 15, 2025, prosecutors say Ortiz agreed to throw a ball on a specific pitch in exchange for a $5,000 payment. Clase would allegedly receive $5,000 for arranging the setup.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. stated:
“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 the pastime of America.”
No conviction has been made and both players remain presumed innocent. However, the combined charges carry a potential sentence of up to 65 years.
Prop bets focused on pitch outcomes, such as whether the opening pitch of an at bat would land as a ball or strike.
No. Both were placed on paid leave.
Clase is currently outside the United States. Prosecutors have not yet indicated a timeline for his return to face arraignment.
The case now proceeds through the federal court process, where evidence will be presented and contested.