MLB Pitchers Implicated in Match-Fixing and Gambling Scheme
CLEVELAND – Major League Baseball is reeling from allegations that Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz participated in a scheme too manipulate game outcomes for financial gain. The U.S. Federal Court has indicted both players on charges including wire fraud, receiving illicit sports betting payments, pitch manipulation, and money laundering, potentially carrying a sentence of up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
The investigation, triggered by a suspicious surge in betting activity related to the pitchers’ performance, revealed a pattern of coordinated activity with gamblers. According to court documents,Clase allegedly began participating in the scheme in May 2023,while Ortiz joined in June 2024.
Specifically, Clase is accused of intentionally altering pitch velocity during a game on April 16th. Prior to entering the game in the bottom of the 8th inning, Clase reportedly exchanged text messages and a two-minute phone call with a gambler. Gamblers then placed bets that Clase’s pitch speed woudl fall below 97.95 miles per hour.When Clase delivered a pitch as pre-arranged, resulting in a payout of approximately $11,000 for the gamblers, he allegedly received a portion of the winnings as a bribe.
Ortis is accused of conspiring to throw predetermined pitches during games on June 15th and June 27th. He allegedly received $12,000 from a gambler for these actions, with Clase receiving an additional $12,000 for facilitating the arrangement.
Clase, a three-time American League save leader (2021-2023), has recorded 47 saves with a 0.61 ERA in 74 games last season and 24 saves in 48 games this year. He was a Cy Young Award finalist in 2023.
MLB temporarily suspended both pitchers last july after noticing the unusual betting patterns and afterward reported the matter to authorities. This scandal follows similar allegations in the National Basketball association, where the FBI recently arrested former and current NBA players, including Portland coach Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones, and Miami’s Terry Rozier, in connection with a sports betting and fraud investigation.