Baseball Fraud Trial: Two Guardians Pitchers Face Federal Charges in Brooklyn

Federal judges in Brooklyn will hear evidence this week that two former Cleveland Guardians pitchers accepted payments to manipulate pitch outcomes for professional gamblers. The trial began Monday in U.S. District Court, marking the start of a month-long legal proceeding for Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz.

Prosecutors allege the pair conspired with two bettors from the Dominican Republic to win at least $460,000 on in-game proposition bets. These wagers targeted the speed and specific results of individual pitches. The indictment states that Clase, a former closer, began sharing information with the group in 2023. He allegedly recruited Ortiz, a starting pitcher, into the arrangement in 2025.

Both players have pleaded not guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. They currently remain on nondisciplinary leave from the Guardians without pay. Clase, 28, was a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year. He had completed the fourth year of a five-year contract worth $20 million when the charges became public in November 2025. Ortiz, 27, earned $782,600 during the 2025 season.

Defense attorneys plan to argue that the pitchers were simply using strategic pitch placement to deceive batters rather than colluding with outside parties. Ortiz’s legal team previously requested a separate trial but was denied. The defense also argues that Clase had little financial motivation to take bribes because he held several million dollars in accounts within the Dominican Republic.

Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto ruled on Friday that prosecutors cannot present evidence to the jury regarding $500,000 in unpaid U.S. taxes owed by Clase. The judge cited a late disclosure deadline as the reason for excluding the financial records. Prosecutors had intended to use that debt to counter the defense claim that Clase had ample personal wealth elsewhere.

Major League Baseball stated that it contacted federal law enforcement after investigating unusual betting activity. The league and the Guardians have both said they fully cooperated with authorities. Several current and former players, including catchers and executives, are expected to testify during the proceedings.