Guardians Pitchers Clase and Ortiz Accused of Rigging Pitches for Bettors
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted on charges related to a scheme to manipulate pitch types for the benefit of sports bettors, federal prosecutors announced. The alleged scheme, which spanned multiple seasons, involved intentionally throwing balls instead of strikes and altering pitch speeds to influence betting outcomes.
According to a court document filed on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Emmanuel Clase is accused of throwing suspicious pitches in at least 48 games over a two-year period, significantly more than the initial nine games cited in the indictment unsealed in November. The accusations center around alleged conspiracies with bettors from 2023 to 2025.
Federal prosecutors allege that Clase and Ortiz conspired with unnamed individuals to profit from bets placed on their performance. The scheme reportedly generated at least $460,000 in winnings for the bettors. Both pitchers face charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
Luis Ortiz’s attorney, Cristos N. Georgalis, has argued for a severance of his client’s case from Clase’s, citing a “markedly different level of culpability.” Georgalis emphasized that the indictment does not contain evidence of Ortiz communicating directly with bettors, and that Clase’s alleged involvement spanned a much longer period and involved more extensive contact with individuals placing wagers. Specifically, Ortiz is accused of rigging pitches in only two games in June 2025, while Clase allegedly engaged in the scheme for 26 months.
The allegations against Clase include “suspect pitches during 48 games, dozens of communications with [a bettor], cash transfers and coordination of illegal wagers,” according to Georgalis’s filing. A judge has requested that prosecutors provide Clase’s attorneys with evidence regarding the specific pitches identified as suspicious, to aid in their preparation for trial.
Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, was placed on non-disciplinary leave by Major League Baseball in July 2025 following the initial gambling inquiry. He appeared in 197 regular-season games from 2023 until being placed on leave. If the allegations are proven true, the government alleges he manipulated his performance in approximately a quarter of those games.
Ortiz played three seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates before joining the Guardians in 2025, appearing in 16 games for Cleveland before being placed on non-disciplinary leave alongside Clase.
Both Clase and Ortiz have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial is currently scheduled for May 4, though Ortiz’s attorney has requested additional time for preparation. Major League Baseball has stated it is cooperating with federal prosecutors and declined further comment.
