Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz Indicted in Gambling Scandal

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted by federal prosecutors on charges related to a scheme involving sports betting. According to multiple reports including ESPN and MLB Trade Rumors, both players are accused of taking bribes to manipulate the outcomes of their pitches, specifically to influence whether pitches would be balls or strikes, thereby enabling bettors to profit from their wagers. This indictment was filed in the Eastern District of New York and was made public recently, with Ortiz being arrested in Boston while Clase remains out of custody. The charges include wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, with a potential maximum sentence of 65 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

The indictment outlines a specific incident that occurred on June 15, when Ortiz reportedly received five thousand dollars for intentionally throwing a ball during a game, with Clase receiving the same amount for facilitating that action. Prosecutors allege that in another incident on June 27, both Ortiz and Clase were paid seven thousand dollars each for similar acts. The total amount allegedly defrauded from betting platforms through their actions exceeds four hundred thousand dollars, as stated in the indictment.

Both pitchers have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July while MLB investigated unusual betting activity during games in which they pitched. MLB confirmed to NPR that it contacted federal law enforcement at the beginning of this investigation and has been fully cooperating with their inquiries. The league's statement emphasized the ongoing nature of their investigation.

The allegations point to a broader issue of integrity within Major League Baseball and the influence of sports betting on the game. The U.S. Attorney, Joseph Nocella Jr., stated that the actions of Clase and Ortiz represent a betrayal of the sport, which is built on principles of integrity and fair play. Furthermore, the indictment highlights how Clase allegedly provided inside information on his pitches during games, even communicating with bettors via cellphone, which is a violation of MLB rules prohibiting phone use during games.

The DOJ's indictment also details how these pitchers engaged in a scheme that involved throwing specific pitches to help bettors win on prop bets, with Clase being identified as the initial instigator who began this practice as early as May 2023. Reports from FanGraphs and Deadspin noted that the scheme included specific bets on pitch types and velocities, with bettors wagering on whether a pitch would be a ball or strike based on inside information provided by Clase and Ortiz.

This situation mirrors previous concerns in professional sports regarding gambling scandals, which have been on the rise since the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May 2018 that allowed states to legalize sports betting. As MLB continues its investigation, the ramifications of this case could have lasting impacts on the reputations of the players involved and the integrity of the sport itself.