The scope of the MLB betting scandal involving Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase is allegedly much wider than initially revealed. Federal prosecutors in a November indictment cited nine games in which Clase allegedly threw rigged pitches. A court document filed on February 5 bumps the accusation up to 48 games, reports David Purdum of ESPN.
Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. They’ve both pleaded not guilty. The indictment detailed an alleged scheme that included Clase and Ortiz intentionally throwing balls to benefit gamblers who were betting on pitch outcomes.
The two pitchers were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave in July. A month later, the league and the players’ association agreed to extend the absence “until further notice,” per a joint statement. Prosecutors in Brooklyn indicted the pair on November 9. The case is scheduled to go to trial on May 4.
Luis Ortiz’s Lawyer Seeking to Separate Client From Co-Conspirator
The origin of the new revelations comes from a document filed by Ortiz’s attorney, Christos N. Georgalis. As Purdum notes, Georgalis has asked that Ortiz’s case be severed from Clase’s case, pointing to “markedly different levels of culpability.” Ortiz has been accused of rigging pitches in two June games. Clase’s accusations span from 2023 to 2025. The attorney suggested that the volume of allegations against Clase could skew the jury’s perspective of Ortiz, as relayed by Purdum.
Prosecutors allege in the indictment that bettors working with Clase won at least $400K on fraudulent wagers. Co-conspirators won at least $60K on bets relating to Ortiz, per the allegations. The indictment also points to a specific event on June 15 that involved Ortiz throwing an intentional ball and Clase facilitating the situation. Both players allegedly received $5K in that instance.
Scheme Allegedly Going on for a Quarter of Clase’s Games
If the allegations are accurate regarding Clase working with bettors for 48 games over a three-year period, he would’ve been rigging pitches in nearly 25% of his performances, notes Purdum. The closer appeared in 197 games from 2023 through 2025.
Clase remained a shutdown reliever for the majority of the time the alleged scheme was taking place. He was an All-Star in 2023 and 2024, leading the league in saves in both seasons. The 2024 campaign in particular was a masterpiece. Clase posted a minuscule 0.61 ERA across 74 games. He allowed just five earned runs the entire regular season. The playoffs were a different story, as Clase was tagged for four earned runs in the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers. The New York Yankees got to him for four more tallies in the ALCS.
The 2025 season got off to a shaky start, as Clase was battered for six earned runs over his first seven games. He recorded a 6.75 ERA through April. Clase righted the ship in May, ceding just one earned run over 10.1 IP. He continued to dominate into late July, piling up 24 saves through July 26. His last appearance before getting placed on paid leave was a perfect three-up, three-down save against Kansas City.
Court Docs Reveal Alarming New Details in MLB Betting Scandal