Two pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians are facing multiple charges from federal prosecutors stemming from an alleged scheme involving pitch rigging.
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According to unsealed documents, pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face charges of fraud, conspiracy, and bribery after they allegedly "conspired with bettors to rig pitches in professional baseball games so that bettors would profit from illegal wagers made based on that inside information."
The court documents said that the two pitchers agreed in advance to throw specific types and speeds of pitches. The court documents also said that both players received "bribes and kickback payments" as part of this alleged scheme.
BREAKING: The Department of Justice has charged two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, in sports betting and money laundering conspiracy. pic.twitter.com/c5narUTgKr
— Pablo Torre 👀 (@PabloTorre) November 9, 2025
ESPN noted that Ortiz was arrested on Sunday morning in Boston, Massachusetts. He will appear in court on Monday. Clase is not in custody.
The court documents said that Clase made arrangements with a bettor in 2023 ahead of a game against the Mets. "Bettor-1" and several other bettors won approximately $27,000. The documents stated that bettors then won approximately $38,000 after a game in June between the Guardians and Twins.
According to the court documents, Ortiz "joined the criminal scheme" in or around June 2025. The documents said that bettors won at least $450,000 betting on pitches thrown by Ortiz and Clase.
"The defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services," said Joseph Nocella Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District. "They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed.
"And they betrayed America's pastime. Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us."
According to ESPN, Ortiz's attorney denied the charges while Clase's attorney did not return comment. Both players could face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, as well as 20 years for honest services wire fraud conspiracy, 20 years for money laundering conspiracy, and five years for conspiracy to influence sports events by bribery.
"MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process," the league said in a statement. "We are aware of the indictment and today's arrest, and our investigation is ongoing."
Clase, who previously served a PED suspension in 2020, is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Reliever of the Year. He and Ortiz have both been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July.
