2 MLB pitchers indicted for sports betting; one arrested in Boston

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted by prosecutors Sunday afternoon for their alleged roles in a sports betting scheme, including rigging pitches in Major League Baseball games over the last two years.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York announced that the pair are charged with “wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, for their alleged roles in a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown during Major League Baseball (MLB) games.”

The 23-page federal indictment states that Clase not only took “bribes and kickbacks” but “sometimes provided money to the bettors in advance to fund the scheme” as well. Co-conspirator bettors allegedly won at least $400,000 on fraudulent wagers based on Clase, and $60,000 on Ortiz’s.

FBI assistant director in charge Christopher G. Raia, quoted in the release, said the pitchers allegedly “rigged their pitches… so that an inner circle, and occasionally themselves, could quietly cash out their winnings.”

It’s an especially stunning plummet from grace for Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time Rivera Relief Pitcher of the Year winner who finished third in American League Cy Young voting and 11th for AL MVP just last year. He is not in custody at this time, but his participation allegedly began more than two year’s before Ortiz’s, in May ’23.

Ortiz, whom the Guardians acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates last December, was arrested in Boston on Sunday and will appear in court Monday. His alleged involvement in the scheme dates back to June of this year, when he agreed to throw balls rather than strikes on specific pitches in the Guardians’ June 15 and June 27 games. In the former game Ortiz allegedly received $5,000 for throwing the pitch and Clase allegedly received the same amount for arranging it; for the latter, each pitcher received $7,000.

 

The indictments come weeks after Clase and Ortiz took legal action of their own. In late October, they sued LIDOM, their native Dominican Republic’s professional baseball league, and league president Vitelio Meji for barring them from pitching for the Estrellas Orientales. Clase previously pitched for the Estrellas, his hometown team in San Pedro de Macoris, during winter ball 2019-20 and 2020-21. In between, he served an 80-game suspension after testing positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone in May 2020.

Clase quickly pivoted to Venezuela, where the Tiburones de La Guaira offered him a roster spot for their winter ball league, but the Guardians refused to give him permission.

Clase and Ortiz remain under investigation by MLB, as well. The league placed them on non-disciplinary paid leave in July, after the Ohio Casino Control Commission flagged abnormal betting on pitches from two of Ortiz’s games.

Rules 21d(2) and 21d(3) of the MLB handbook, posted in every team’s clubhouse, state:

“Any player, umpire or club or league official or employee who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.

“Any player, umpire or club or league official or employee who places bets with illegal bookmakers or agents for illegal bookmakers, shall be subject to such penalty as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct.”

The league also prohibit player use of cell phones during games, another rule the indictment alleges Clase violated; Time-stamped text messages show that Clase texted and conducted phone calls to “coordinate with Bettor-1” during several games, including a 5-4 Guardians victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox on April 26, 2025. Clase procured tickets for Bettor-1, who spent time with him at his home the day before and after the game. The indictment states that Bettor-1 was among “several” bettors who won approximately $11,000 wagering that Clase would throw a specific pitch slower than 97.95 miles per hour.

If convicted on all charges, Clase and Ortiz each face up to 65 years in prison.

In a statement on Sunday, Ortiz’s attorney Chris Georgalis declared:

“Luis Ortiz is innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw. He has never, and would never, improperly influence a game – not for anyone and not for anything.

“Luis is and has always been a fierce competitor. He has always given his best effort in every inning of every game. Those who have played with him know this. And the government’s investigation, including discussions with Luis’ teammates, support this as well.

“As Luis’ defense team extensively explained and documented to the government before these charges were brought, Luis’ payments and other transfers of money between him and individuals in the Dominican Republic were for lawful activities. Notably, the indictment completely lacks any alleged evidence connecting Luis to these alleged bettors or demonstrating any purposeful involvement in a scheme.

“There is no credible evidence Luis knowingly did anything other than try to win games, with every pitch and in every inning. Luis looks forward to fighting these charges in court. The government’s case is weak and circumstantial. He will defend himself, and he will be prevail.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/MuIBR1h