The Cleveland Guardians are cooperating with an investigation involving two pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, accused of conspiring with others to place bets and manipulate game outcomes. The duo allegedly earned around $460,000 through this scheme, marking a significant scandal in MLB since the recent quieting of Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter’s gambling issue.
The pitchers face charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sports contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. They are currently on paid leave while the Guardians aid the investigation. The FBI and Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York have been involved since May 2023, with the pitchers joining the scheme in 2023 and recently in 2025.
State Attorney Joseph Nocella stated, “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.”
Evidence includes Ortiz accepting a $5,000 bribe to alter a play on June 15, 2025, with similar incidents detailed in the indictment. Ortiz has been arrested by the FBI, while Clase remains free. Nocella emphasized athletes’ duty to uphold game integrity and promised strict action against corruption.
The charged players may face over 60 years in prison. This scandal occurs amid other controversies in U.S. professional leagues, notably the NBA and NCAA’s recent revocation of six student-athletes’ rights, with additional investigations underway.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com