In a shocking development for Major League Baseball, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are facing legal troubles after being indicted in a high-profile investigation into manipulated pitching outcomes.
Major League Baseball had already been scrutinizing the duo, and on Sunday, a league representative disclosed that MLB officials promptly alerted federal authorities and have been “fully cooperating throughout the process.”
On the same day, Ortiz was apprehended in Boston. Both players are accused of multiple offenses, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and bribery.
The charges are severe, with potential sentences reaching up to 65 years in prison for each player if convicted. Prosecutors claim that on June 15, Ortiz accepted $5,000 to intentionally throw a ball, while Clase received the same amount for his role in the scheme.
The indictment further alleges a repeat of this scheme on June 27, with each player receiving $7,000.
After his arrest, Ortiz is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Monday for an initial hearing, with a subsequent arraignment planned in Brooklyn, New York. Meanwhile, Clase has not yet been taken into custody within the United States, as detailed in the indictment.
Emmanuel Clase has been indicted by prosecutors amid an investigation into rigged pitches
Luis Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday morning for his alleged involvement in the scheme
In a statement to ESPN, an MLB spokesperson said: ‘MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process.
‘We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.’
A statement from the Cleveland Guardians read: ‘We are aware of the recent law enforcement action. We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.’
The charges against the two baseball superstars were announced by Josh Nocella Jr, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
In a statement, he said: ‘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.
‘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.’
The indictment alleges that the pitchers ‘agreed in advance with their co-conspirators on specific pitches that they would throw in MLB games’, with ‘hundreds of fraudulent bets’ then placed based on their information.
All-Star closer Clase is alleged to have begun rigging prop bets around May 2023, while Ortiz is said to have joined the scheme in June of this year, per the indictment.
The gambling probe drags baseball into the headlines just weeks after similar investigations were revealed involving players in the NBA and NFL.
The FBI is currently investigating a Mafia-led gambling ring and it is alleged NBA insiders leaked private information to enable large bets to be made on games.
A second part of the probe involves a network of rigged underground poker games, in which NBA and NFL players were paid to attend in a bid to entice ‘victims’ to play.
Ex-NBA player Terry Rozier was arrested in connection with the insider betting scheme, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is alleged to be a co-conspirator in the poker ring, while ex-player Damon Jones is allegedly tied to both.
More than 30 individuals across 11 US states have been indicted in connection with the ongoing probe.
Meanwhile, Clase and Ortiz were previously placed on paid administrative leave by Major League Baseball in July, in the wake of their own investigation.
Ortiz, who was acquired by Cleveland in an offseason trade from Pittsburgh, was placed on paid leave on July 3, the same day he was scheduled to start against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
One of baseball’s top closers, Clase joined Ortiz on the sideline July 28 when MLB announced it had broadened its query to include the three-time All-Star.
Clase’s departure came just before the trade deadline. The Guardians were expected to receive numerous offers for the right-hander, who led the AL with 47 saves last season.
Clase had 24 saves and was 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA this season.
The inquiry into the actions of the Cleveland pitchers comes after MLB suspended five players for gambling in June 2024, including a lifetime ban for San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano.
