Archive · 10 Nov 2025
MLB Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz Indicted in Betting Scandal
Two baseball players, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, are accused by the government of fixing parts of baseball games for people who wanted to bet on them.
They allegedly agreed to throw certain kinds of pitches, like a ball instead of a strike, so that gamblers could win money.
These gamblers allegedly paid the players money for helping them win bets.
The players are facing serious charges like fraud and bribery, and if found guilty, they could go to jail for a long time.
The baseball league has been helping the government with its investigation, and the league is still looking into the matter.
This is not the first time players have gotten in trouble for betting, as other athletes have faced similar accusations.
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted on federal charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery.
Prosecutors allege the pitchers agreed to manipulate the outcomes of specific pitches in exchange for bribes and kickbacks.
The information about rigged pitches was allegedly used by co-conspirators to place bets, benefiting bettors by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Ortiz was arrested in Boston, while Clase has not been taken into custody.
Major League Baseball has cooperated with federal law enforcement throughout the investigation, which is ongoing.
- Who
- Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz
- What
- Indicted on multiple charges related to alleged gambling, including manipulating bets on individual pitches.
- When
- Indictment announced Sunday; alleged actions date back to May 2023 (Clase) and June 2025 (Ortiz).
- Where
- Ortiz was arrested in Boston.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege the players received bribes and kickbacks for rigging pitches, which were then used to place bets.
Prosecutors' Allegations
Legal Process
Nature of Scheme
Prosecutors' Allegations
Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz agreed in advance with co-conspirators to throw specific types and speeds of pitches, receiving bribes and kickbacks to rig these pitches.
Legal Process
The indictment details alleged actions such as throwing a ball on specific dates in exchange for payments, with these outcomes used for betting purposes.
Financial Gain for Bettors
Prosecutors' Allegations
The alleged schemes are said to have benefited bettors by approximately $700,000 in Clase's case and $60,000 in Ortiz's.
Legal Process
Court documents show specific payment amounts for alleged rigging actions, for example, $5,000 for a ball on June 15 and $7,000 each on June 27.
MLB's Role
Prosecutors' Allegations
Major League Baseball contacted federal law enforcement at the start of its inquiry and has fully cooperated. The league's investigation is ongoing.
Legal Process
MLB banned pitcher Tucupita Marcano for life and suspended four others for betting on baseball games in 2024, and has previously reinstated historical figures banned for gambling.
- Players Indicted
- Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz
- Team
- Cleveland Guardians
- Charges
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy
- Alleged Scheme
- Manipulating bets on individual pitches by agreeing to throw specific types and speeds of pitches.
- Alleged Benefit to Bettors
- $700,000 for Clase, $60,000 for Ortiz
- Potential Prison Sentence
- Up to 65 years if convicted on all counts
- MLB Involvement
- Contacted federal law enforcement at the start of their investigation and is fully cooperating.