Cleveland Guardians teammates Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz were indicted by prosecutors on Sunday for their roles in an alleged scheme to manipulate bets on individual pitches thrown during MLB games.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged each player with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and money laundering conspiracy.
The indictment highlighted specific instances during the 2023 and 2025 seasons in which Clase appeared to collaborate with bettors on pitch outcomes.
One of which came during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 28. A prop bet had been placed on Clase’s first pitch of his appearance being a ball.
Clase got Andy Pages to swing at a first-pitch slider that bounced in the dirt. The right-hander retired Pages en route to getting through a scoreless ninth inning on just 10 pitches.
Approximately 20 minutes after the game, Clase received a text message from a bettor who allegedly lost $4,000 after wagering that the first pitch of the Pages at-bat would be a ball.
Clase responded with an image of a sad puppy dog face despite the fact that the Guardians won the game. Given where Clase threw the pitch, he appeared to do his part in effort to ensure the bet would cash.
The three-time All-Star did not pitch again after July 26 as MLB placed him on non-disciplinary paid leave at the end of the month. That came just a few weeks after Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave amid a league investigation involving sports gambling.
At the end of August, MLB extended the leave for both pitchers “until further notice.”
Clase and Ortiz could face up to 65 years in prison if they are convicted on all charges. Both players have denied all allegations against them.
MLB players disciplined for sports gambling
MLB previously banned former San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for life while suspending Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres pitcher Jay Groome, Philadelphia Phillies infielder José Rodriguez and Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Andrew Saalfrank after it was discovered they bet on baseball games not involving their teams.
Earlier this year, the league terminated the employment of umpire Pat Hoberg for failing to uphold the integrity of the game by sharing sports betting accounts with a professional poker player and friend who bet on baseball.
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