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Since July, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been out of action, as reports of their involvement in sports betting continue to be investigated. MLB has strict rules prohibiting all active personnel, including players, umpires and team staff from betting on baseball. Should Clase and Ortiz be found guilty, it will spell the end to their big league career once and for all.As insider Jeff Passan reported via X on Sunday, significantly sterner punishment could also be on the cards for the duo."Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to the Eastern District of New York, which outlined the case against Clase and Ortiz after indicting them on fraud, conspiracy and bribery charges." Passan posted to X Jeff Passan @JeffPassanLINKCleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to the Eastern District of New York, which outlined the case against Clase and Ortiz after indicting them on fraud, conspiracy and bribery charges.Fans were shocked upon reading the news, and several left comments making their feelings known. One such fan also pointed out it was perhaps unfair that former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic, received a much more lenient sentence for a crime that was relatively much more heinous."Wander Franco got 2 years btw" a fan wrote rob @robertsteele135LINKwander franco got 2 years btw"65??? You’ll see people get 5 years for murder" another fan commented weppon13 @Weppler13LINK65??? You’ll see people get 5 years for murder"Threw away their careers and their free lives for $12,000. That’s insane" another fan replied"I will say: 65 years in prison is excessive for throwing a couple paid pitches 😂 This system always gotta over-correct…" another fan responded"65 years for gambling but people can commit far worse crimes and get nothing alright man" another fan shared"I mean, you definitely can't throw games in professional sports. But that's an insane punishment for that crime." another fan postedCleveland Guardians and MLB release their statements for Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz's situationSoon after news of Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz's indictment broke, both the Cleveland Guardians and MLB released statements pledging to cooperate with law enforcement whenever required, as reported by insider Tim Stebbins of MLB.com."We are aware of the recent law enforcement action. We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue." the Guardians' statement read "MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process. We are aware of the indictment and today's arrest, and our investigation is ongoing." MLB stated Emmanuel Clase (L), Luis Ortiz (R) (Images from - Getty)According to latest reports, Ortiz has already been arrested by authorities in Boston on Sunday, while Clase has not yet been detained.
