Two Major League Baseball pitchers became the latest professional athletes to be charged for gambling-related crimes.
The league suspended Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase earlier this year. On Sunday, they were indicted in a Brooklyn federal courthouse. Authorities charged both with charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracies.
U.S. Attorney with the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr. alleged that Ortiz and Clase adjusted pitches to benefit co-conspirators who wagered on those pitches.
“They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed,” Nocella said. “And they betrayed America’s pastime. Integrity, honesty, and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants, but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us.”
Nocella also played a key role in the recent arrest of NBA head coach Chauncey Billups. The FBI claim Billups was part of a scheme to cheat high-stakes poker games.
“Today’s charges make clear that our office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who corrupt sports through illegal means.”
Clase And Ortiz Helped Bettors Win $460,000
Authorities took custody of Ortiz in Boston Sunday. Clase was not in custody as of Monday morning.
Federal authorities allege that the scheme began in May 2023, when Clase agreed to help “corrupt sports bettors” by rigging pitching prop bets. They claim Clase arranged certain pitches with the bettors during games. According to the claim, the rigged pitches often occurred on the first pitch of an at-bat.
“To ensure certain pitches were called as balls, Clase threw many of them in the dirt, well outside the strike zone,” prosecutors said in the indictments. “The bettors used the advanced, inside information that Clase provided about his future pitches to wager thousands of dollars at online sportsbooks.”
In return, the bettors gave Clase kickbacks. Authorities allege he helped the co-conspirators win more than $400,000 from sportsbooks.
Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June. Authorities claim he fixed pitches in at least two games in exchange for bribes and kickbacks. Prosecutors said his pitches helped bettors win at least $60,000.
Salaries Worth Much More Than Wagers
Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, told the Wall Street Journal that the 26-year-old starting pitcher is innocent.
Georgalis said Ortiz “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game – not for anyone and not for anything.”
Ortiz earned $782,600 in 2025 and was set to earn $820,000 next season. Clase was set to enter the final year of his five-year $20 million contract in 2026. The team has club options on him for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
The three-time All-Star has been one of the league’s top closers over the last few years. His attorney declined to comment on the case.
There are 39 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico that have legalized some form of sports betting. Online sportsbooks are an option in 31 states.
