MLB Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz Charged in Alleged Game-Fixing Bribery Scheme

Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, are facing serious federal charges after prosecutors alleged they accepted bribes from sports bettors to manipulate in-game performance for gambling advantage. The indictment, unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn on Sunday, details an alleged scheme involving deliberately altered pitch speeds and intentional balls thrown outside the strike zone.

According to investigators, the scheme allowed bettors from the Dominican Republic to profit from in-game prop bets, which focus on specific outcomes such as pitch velocity and pitch placement. Prosecutors claim the players knowingly threw slower pitches and intentionally missed the strike zone to influence betting results.

Both pitchers had already been placed on paid administrative leave earlier this year, after Major League Baseball detected irregular betting patterns associated with games they appeared in.

Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Luis Ortiz, 26, was taken into custody by the FBI at Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday. He is expected to appear in federal court in Boston. Emmanuel Clase, 27, has not yet been detained, according to officials.

Attorneys representing both players either declined to comment or did not immediately respond.

The players are charged with:

• Wire fraud conspiracy
• Honest services wire fraud conspiracy
• Conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery
• Money laundering conspiracy

If convicted, the most serious charges carry up to 20 years in prison.

Wider Sports Betting Crackdown
These charges come amid a growing number of betting-related scandals across professional sports, particularly since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to legalize sports betting nationwide. The expansion of online sportsbooks has increased both access and financial stakes in game-related wagers.

Major League Baseball issued a statement confirming it referred the case to federal law enforcement and is continuing to cooperate in the investigation. The Cleveland Guardians organization also stated it is working closely with authorities and MLB.

This case follows a recent major gambling sweep involving more than 30 individuals tied to the NBA, further highlighting the ongoing challenges leagues face in preserving the integrity of competition.

What Happens Next
Both players may face suspension, contract termination, or lifetime bans depending on the outcome of the investigation and MLB disciplinary action. The league has emphasized that maintaining trust in the fairness of competition remains a top priority.

More updates are expected as legal proceedings move forward.