Guardians Pitchers Clase, Ortiz Indicted in Pitch-Fixing Scheme

Federal prosecutors in New York indicted Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on Sunday for their alleged roles in a scheme to manipulate pitches for sports betting purposes, marking a significant development in Major League Baseball's ongoing gambling investigation.

The charges, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, accuse the two right-handed pitchers of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. If convicted on all counts, each faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison. Authorities allege the scheme began in May 2023 with Clase, the team's All-Star closer, and that Ortiz joined in June 2025 after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the offseason. The pitchers reportedly agreed in advance with coconspirators to throw intentional balls, allowing bettors to place wagers on whether specific pitches would be called as balls or strikes.

Prosecutors detailed two key incidents in the 23-page indictment. On June 15, 2025, during a game against the Seattle Mariners, Ortiz received $5,000 to throw a ball, while...