A government witness testified Friday in the federal trial of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz that inside information he used to bet on Clase pitches in 2023 dried up in 2024 due to the fallout from the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal. Luis de Aza Baez said he placed dozens of bets and won thousands by wagering on Clase's pitch velocity, citing inside information. He stated that when he asked for more tips in 2024, he was told the information had stopped because of the scrutiny surrounding Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who stole nearly $17 million from the superstar.
De Aza Baez received tips from Enoc Pena, an associate of Clase, via a group chat titled 'Uber Inc.' Prosecutors presented a text message from Clase to Pena about 'killing the first two chickens,' which De Aza Baez interpreted as betting instructions. Clase's defense argues the references relate to cockfighting. De Aza Baez agreed to forfeit $69,000 and testify truthfully in exchange for prosecutors dropping a wire fraud charge.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing