Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Face May Trial in Bribery Case

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are set to face a May trial in federal court related to serious bribery charges. U.S. District Court Judge Kiyo Matsumoto announced that jury selection is scheduled to commence on May 4, with the trial likely starting the following week.

The trial could last approximately two weeks, as stated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Sherman during a hearing where both sides expressed the need for time to prepare. Clase and Ortiz have been indicted on multiple charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery.

According to prosecutors, the duo allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in bribes to assist two unnamed gamblers from the Dominican Republic, their home country, in winning at least $460,000 on bets regarding their pitching performance.

Prosecutors claim that Clase began providing information about his pitches in 2023 and later recruited Ortiz into the scheme. Both pitchers have entered not guilty pleas and have been on paid leave since July 2025 as MLB initiated an investigation into suspicious betting activities coinciding with their appearances on the mound.

Clase, 27, is a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, currently in the fourth season of a five-year, $20 million contract. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Ortiz has a salary of $782,600 for this season.

The accusations against them not only threaten their careers but also raise significant concerns regarding the integrity of Major League Baseball. The prosecution has indicated that both players face severe penalties if convicted, including up to 20 years imprisonment for each of the wire fraud conspiracy charges.

Additionally, Ortiz reportedly agreed to rig pitches for bribes, with one incident alleged to involve throwing a ball into the dirt in exchange for a $7,000 payment. Meanwhile, Clase is accused of providing funds to facilitate these bets.

The Guardians are expected to open spring training in February, with the regular season starting on March 26 against the Seattle Mariners. As the situation unfolds, MLB has already implemented new betting policies in response to the incident, including a $200 wagering limit on micro-betting related to pitches.

The next court appearance for Clase and Ortiz is scheduled for January 15, 2026, as preparations for the trial continue amid ongoing discussions between the prosecution and defense.