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Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, both pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians, have been indicted in connection to an alleged gambling scheme to rig prop bets on pitches they threw in games. Ortiz was placed under arrest Sunday, while Clase hasn’t been arrested at this time, according to the New York Post. (RELATED: NCAA Investigation Finds Numerous Basketball Players Allegedly Tried To Rig Games, Share Information With Gamblers) The indictment reads that the Guardians players allegedly “agreed in advance with their co-conspirators on specific pitches that they would throw in MLB games,” and that the co-conspirators “then used that information to place hundreds of fraudulent bets on those pitches.” The All-Star closer for the Guardians, Clase, allegedly started rigging prop bets in May 2023, also receiving “bribes and kickbacks,” per The Post. Emmanuel Clase has been indicted for allegedly accepting $5,000 and $7,000 to have teammate Luis Ortiz intentionally throw balls in MLB games. He is on a $20 million contract. pic.twitter.com/QFOMHWlsV2 — Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 9, 2025 Ortiz allegedly became a part of the gambling scheme in June 2025, according to the indictment via the New York Post. Clase and Ortiz have been charged with money laundering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and honest services wire fraud conspiracy. In July, the pitchers were put on leave by Major League Baseball so a gambling investigation could be conducted. The indictment follows the mafia-related scandal that slammed the NBA, which saw Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups arrested for allegedly being a part of a betting scheme. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was also placed under arrest.
