The trial of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz begins Monday in federal court in New York. They are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest services fraud, sports bribery and money laundering in a betting scheme. Co-defendants are accused of sharing inside information from Clase with bettors.
Prosecutors allege Clase rigged at least 18 pitches from 2023 to 2025, often by throwing balls or tipping off bettors about off-speed pitches. Ortiz is accused of manipulating two pitches in June 2025 while in debt to a money-advance company. The government says bettors won at least $400,000 on Clase's pitches using code words like "rooster" and "chicken." Clase's attorneys argue his pitches were normal baseball strategy.
Ortiz's attorneys call the case thin, relying on cooperating bettors. Potential witnesses include Guardians personnel and MLB officials. A judge ruled IRS tax lien information inadmissible.
The case highlights the intersection of sports and gambling integrity.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing