Federal prosecutors allege Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase rigged 18 pitches in 17 games over three seasons, according to court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. One of those games was a 2024 playoff game against the Detroit Tigers.
Both Clase, a three-time All-Star, and fellow Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz haven’t pitched since mid-2025 after a betting-integrity firm flagged some suspicious bets. Prosecutors charged the two pitchers and two other defendants with conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud.
Prosecutors claim in court documents that bettors were given early information on pitches Emmanuel Clase threw in 17 games between May 2023 and May 2025. Bettors then placed wagers on specific outcomes, such as pitch placement and velocity.
Luis Ortiz, a starting pitcher, is also accused by prosecutors of participating in the scam by providing gamblers with advance information about two of his pitches.
According to ESPN, Clase’s first pitch to Detroit Tigers hitter Matt Vierling in the ninth inning of the American League Division Series game on October 5, 2024, was flagged as suspicious. The 93 mph slider was outside the strike zone. The Guardians won the game 7-0.
18 pitches are far less than prosecutors originally intended to address
Prosecutors had previously accused Clase of throwing questionable pitches in at least 48 games, according to a filing made by Ortiz’s lawyer in February.
“The government will only seek to prove that for one or more of approximately 18 of Clase’s pitches, and for two of Ortiz’s pitches, the defendants provided advance inside information about their pitches to others, who bet on them,” U.S. attorney Joseph Nocella wrote.
Department of Justice attorneys previously alleged that the betting scam netted Clase and Ortiz at least $450,000 in winnings. Clase is alleged to have also bet on his own pitches.
Jury selection is expected to start in November, with the trial taking place that same month. In August, a federal judge denied Luis Ortiz’s request to try his case separately from Clase. They are each now facing up to 65 years in prison.
Both players were successful and made millions before being arrested
Emmanuel Clase had 24 saves and a 3.23 ERA when he was put on leave by Major League Baseball in 2025. His best season was in 2024 when he posted a 0.61 ERA with 47 saves – the third year in a row he surpassed the 40 save mark in a season. He had reportedly earned over $15 million during his six-year MLB career. Clase missed the 2020 season after testing positive for PEDs.
Luis Ortiz was just 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA when he was put on leave. Those numbers were a significant drop-off from 2024, when he went 7-6 with a 3.32 ERA for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ortiz had made over $2 million during his four-year MLB career.