Nationwide — Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have been indicted on multiple federal charges for allegedly conspiring with sports bettors to manipulate the outcomes of certain pitches in Major League Baseball games, according to court documents unsealed this week. The indictments accuse the players of participating in a scheme to profit from insider knowledge and intentionally altering in-game performance.
According to Fox 8 Cleveland, federal prosecutors say the two players face charges including fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. In a statement, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia said the players “allegedly rigged their pitches in professional baseball games so that an inner circle, and occasionally themselves, could quietly cash out their winnings,” adding that the alleged conduct “sullied the reputation of America’s pastime.”
According to the indictment, Clase’s involvement in the alleged scheme began in 2023, when he allegedly conspired with a group of bettors to manipulate prop bets—wagers placed on specific aspects of a game, such as pitch speed or pitch type. Prosecutors allege Clase received bribes and kickbacks in exchange for advance information and altered play, helping bettors win an estimated $400,000 through fraudulent wagers.
Ortiz, prosecutors say, joined the operation in 2025, allegedly agreeing in advance to throw balls instead of strikes during two games. In return, Ortiz purportedly received bribes of $5,000 and $7,000 for those appearances, contributing to at least $60,000 in winning bets for the group. Federal agents arrested Ortiz on Monday in Boston, Massachusetts, while the status of Clase’s custody has not yet been confirmed.
Both pitchers have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July while Major League Baseball investigated reports of unusual betting activity in games they pitched. The Cleveland Guardians issued a statement acknowledging the indictments and pledging cooperation with federal authorities and the league, saying, “We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.” MLB confirmed that it referred the case to federal investigators early in its own probe and that its review remains ongoing.
If convicted, Clase and Ortiz could each face significant prison time. According to federal sentencing guidelines, the charges carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for both the wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy counts, 20 years for the honest services wire fraud conspiracy count, and five years for conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. The indictments mark one of the most serious criminal cases involving active MLB players in decades and could lead to lasting implications for baseball’s policies on gambling and player conduct.