Major League Baseball just took another step in the ongoing case involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers.
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Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been moved to unpaid non-disciplinary leave as their legal situation continues, the league announced Friday. The decision was made in agreement with the MLB Players Association.
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
They had previously been on paid leave. The change comes as both players await trial on serious federal charges tied to an alleged pitch-rigging scheme involving sports betting.
Clase, 28, and Ortiz, 27, have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege the two accepted money to intentionally throw specific pitches, including balls on purpose, to benefit bettors wagering on pitch outcomes. The charges include wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and bribery related to influencing sporting events. Some of those counts carry potential sentences of up to 20 years.
MLB emphasized that the leave is not a disciplinary ruling.
"This agreement is not an admission of any wrongdoing," the league said in a statement, adding that it will not comment further while the investigation is ongoing.
Still, the move to unpaid status is notable. According to court filings, the alleged scheme dates back to 2023 and may involve dozens of games. Prosecutors claim Clase manipulated pitch type and velocity in certain situations, while Ortiz was later brought into the arrangement.
The case has already had ripple effects across the league. MLB has asked sportsbooks to limit wagers on individual pitches and restrict how those bets can be used, aiming to reduce the risk of similar situations.
Trial is scheduled for the fall, with jury selection set to begin Nov. 2.
Both players remain away from the team as the case moves forward.
