After being arrested on Sunday for allegedly rigging pitchers for the bettors’ benefit, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was released from jail on Monday on $500,000 bail.
Just a few days later, authorities took fellow Guardians hurler Emmanuel Clase into custody. According to ESPN reporter David Purdum, Clase flew into New York’s JFK airport from the Dominican Republic.
Then, FBI agents arrested Clase. He was arraigned at 2 p.m.
Ortiz is a 26-year-old starting pitcher, while Clase was arguably the best reliever in Major League Baseball. They are accused of taking bribes and receiving kickbacks from bettors to rig pitches. Thus, the bettors could guarantee wins on pitching-related prop bets.
The league suspended both players earlier this year when the accusations were initially levied. Now, they face charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracies.
As part of his release, Ortiz surrendered his passport and limited his travel to the northeast U.S. Lastly, he must avoid contact with anyone who could be a victim, witness, or co-defendant in the case.
Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, told the Wall Street Journal that his client is innocent. He claimed Ortiz “Has never, and would never, improperly influence a game – not for anyone and not for anything.”
Georgalis previously told prosecutors that any payments Ortiz received from the Dominican Republic were for legal-related fees.
Betting Scheme Is More Than Two Years Old
Authorities allege that the betting scheme began in May 2023. Clase agreed to help “corrupt sports bettors” by rigging prop bets.
They claim Clase arranged certain pitches with bettors during games. According to prosecutors, 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.”
Authorities allege Clase helped co-conspirators win more than $400,000 from online sportsbooks. Ortiz allegedly helped bettors win at least $60,000.
In response, MLB announced an agreement with sportsbook sponsors this week to limit pitch prop bets to $200. Additionally, these bets must be excluded from parlay wagering.
