Okay, hear’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, organized for clarity:
The Core Issue:
* MLB players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted and arrested in connection with a gambling examination.They are accused of potentially influencing the outcome of pitches to align with betting activity.
Key Players & Their Statements:
* Emmanuel Clase: His agent,Michael Ferrara,maintains Clase is “innocent of all charges” and will fight to clear his name.
* Luis Ortiz: His attorney, Chris Georgalis, strongly asserts Ortiz’s innocence, stating he “never…improperly influence a game.” The defense argues payments were for lawful activities and there’s no evidence linking Ortiz to bettors or a scheme. They call the government’s case “weak and circumstantial.”
* MLB: The league states they fully cooperated with federal law enforcement and their investigation is ongoing.
* Cleveland Guardians: The team is cooperating with both law enforcement and MLB.
* Stephen Vogt (Guardians Manager): Believes players are well-informed about the rules regarding gambling.
* Chris Antonetti (Guardians President): Agrees players are aware of the rules.
Timeline of Events:
* Late June: The Ohio casino Control Commission alerted to irregular betting activity on Ortiz’s outings.
* July 3: Ortiz placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as MLB investigated potential pitch-dictating.
* July 28: Clase placed on non-disciplinary paid leave. The Guardians were considering trading Clase, but this became impossible with the leave.
* August & Beyond: The league extended the leaves of absence for both players indefinitely.
* Recent: Indictment and arrest of Clase and Ortiz.
Relevant MLB Rules:
* Rule 21d(2): Betting on a game in which a player has a duty to perform results in permanent ineligibility.
* Rule 21d(3): Betting with illegal bookmakers can result in penalties resolute by the Commissioner.
* These rules are prominently displayed in MLB clubhouses.
Context & Significance:
* Clase was a highly successful closer (Cy Young finalist, All-Star).
* Ortiz was a recent acquisition the Guardians hoped would become a key starting pitcher.
* The investigation initially led MLB to believe no other players or personnel would be impacted, but this is now uncertain.
Disclaimer: The Athletic has a commercial partnership with BetMGM, which is noted at the end of the article.
Let me know if you’d like me to elaborate on any specific aspect of this information.
