The federal trial of former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz began Monday in Brooklyn, with prosecutors alleging the two players accepted bribes to alter individual pitches to benefit certain sports gamblers. The trial will determine if the pitchers deliberately manipulated their performances to manipulate sportsbook odds.
The Two Athletes Could Face Time in Prison
Prosecutors claim that Clase and Ortiz were part of a scheme that allowed gambling associates in the Dominican Republic to profit from bets on pitch speed, location, and other specific outcomes. The operation allegedly generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in winnings for the gamblers, while the athletes were paid for manipulating betting lines by altering their plays.
The two pitchers face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests through bribery. If convicted on all counts, they could face up to 65 years in prison. Clase and Ortiz have been away from the field during the investigation. Both men are out on bail and have not yet been convicted of any offense.
The government’s case cites 18 pitches by Clase between 2023 and 2025. Prosecutors claim shared advance information about his plans, allowing connected individuals to wager knowing where and how fast a delivery would be made. In one case, bettors reportedly won about $27,000 by betting that a specific pitch by Clase would exceed 94.95 mph.
The Rise of Prop Bets Threatens the MLB’s Integrity
Investigators also accused Clase of inviting his teammate Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. According to the indictment, bettors won at least $450,000 on wagers tied to pitches thrown by the two players. However, not all bets were successful. One involved a swing at a pitch in the dirt by Los Angeles Dodgers player Andy Page that resulted in a loss for the betting group.
Prosecutors also point to alleged communications between the gamblers and the players. They claim the group used coded messages to signal how the players should throw their next pitch. The use of a phone in the bullpen during one game also raised suspicions, as prosecutors claim it let gamblers guess what kind of pitch was coming.
Real-time betting is increasingly popular with fans, allowing them to wager on every detail during a game. This creates a challenge for leagues and regulators, as manipulations can be limited to a single play. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications beyond the two players’ careers, adding pressure on the NBL to improve its sports integrity measures.