Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz indicted on federal gambling charges, facing 65 years in prison

Prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, have indicted Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for multiple charges in connection to a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Clase and Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison, if convicted on all charges.

“The 23-page indictment against Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz lays out the alleged scheme for the pitchers to intentionally throw balls so bettors could wager on pitches to be balls or strikes,” Passan wrote on X. “It started, prosecutors say, as early as May 2023 with Clase and later included Ortiz.

“Prosecutors allege that Luis Ortiz was paid $5,000 for throwing an intentional ball June 15 and Emmanuel Clase given $5,000 for facilitating it. They did it again, according to the indictment, June 27. The payment for each on that pitch was $7,000 apiece.”

The Cleveland Guardians placed both pitchers on non-disciplinary paid leave in July. Specifically, Clase and Ortiz are each being charged with the wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.

Since being placed on leave Clase and Ortiz have been prohibited from visiting Progressive Field or any other Guardians facility. The pair had adjacent lockers in the Guardians’ clubhouse.

Emmanuel Clase is considered to be one of the best relief pitchers in baseball. He was named an MLB All-Star for three consecutive seasons from 2022-24. Clase led the American League in saves in all three of those seasons. He was also named AL Reliever of the Year twice, including in 2024. 

Before being placed on leave, Clase wasn’t having nearly as successful of a season. He had a 3.23 ERA with 24 saves. Additionally, he’d recorded 47 strikeouts and 12 walks in 47.1 innings pitched. For reference, he boasted a 1.88 ERA and 182 career saves through six MLB seasons.

“MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process,” the MLB wrote in a statement to ESPN. “We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”

Ortiz was reportedly arrested in Boston earlier today. However, Clase is not currently in custody, per Passan.

Ortiz and Clase are only the latest people involved in professional sports to be accused of illegal gambling. In October, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested by the FBI in connection with a federal probe into rigged poker games.