This week, two Major League pitchers were indicted on federal fraud allegations stemming from allegedly rigging pitches in an illegal gambling scheme.
Cleveland Guardians’ pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis
Ortiz are both facing up to 65-years in prison if convicted on all charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. Ortiz was arrested in Boston where he has a home and made his first court appearance on Monday. Clase has not been taken into custody at this time.
The indictment states:
“The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on the wire fraud conspiracy count, 20 years’ imprisonment on the honest services wire fraud conspiracy count, five years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery count, and 20 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering conspiracy count.”
Both pitchers were placed on administrative leave in July, with their leave of absences being extended in August for both players to remain out through the end of the season. During this span, the league was investigating a series of suspicious pitches in which either pitcher would throw a ball nowhere near the strike zone, in an effort to satisfy betters who were betting on first pitch balls over strikes. Though a majority of the investigation is related to incidents that occurred in 2025, the indictment details instances from as early as 2023 when bettors were winning on pitches that Clase had thrown. On three pitches alone from 2023, the winnings totaled out to over $100,000.
Although Ortiz was placed on leave before Clase, there are eight instances directly correlated with Clase versus just two from Ortiz which would suggest that the former was the primary target of this string of illegal gambling. Ortiz was only just acquired by Cleveland in December of 2024, with Clase being with the club since 2021.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr.released a statement regarding the alleged gambling.
“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,” Nocella Jr. said. “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 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. Today’s charges make clear that our Office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who corrupt sports through illegal means.”
Following an 80-game suspension for violating the MLB’s anti doping policy, Clase had seemed to right the ship on his career. He would rebound with Cleveland after being traded by the Texas Rangers and serving out his suspension to become one of the best relievers in baseball. Still though much of the evidence suggests that Clase was the driving force behind the rigging.
Luis Ortiz was traded from Pittsburgh to Cleveland during this past offseason in the Spencer Horwitz deal. At the time, many thought that the Pirates were giving up far too much in the trade. Ortiz was a rising prospect in Pittsburgh’s system and had enjoyed decent results while with the club. Meanwhile Horwitz was damaged goods with very little Major League experience. With that being said, the Pirates are experiencing a rare win given Ortiz’ current situation, as $63,000 was allegedly won because of Ortiz rigging his pitches.
Despite the legalization of sports betting across the United States, the MLB and other sports leagues still have rules and regulations limiting what their athletes can and can’t gamble on. Major League Baseball has their own dark history of illegal gambling, with Pete Rose and several members of the 1919 Black Sox receiving lifetime bans that were only just lifted earlier this season following the passing of Rose.
Professional sports have always had a complicated relationship with gambling, and this is just another unfortunate instance of that. It’s an incredibly selfish act on the part of the athletes that are accused of altering America’s Pastime in such a blatant and disrespectful manner.
