The post Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Clase and Ortiz Charged in $400k MLB Rigged Betting Scheme appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.
In deep trouble
With the NBA and UFC betting scandals dominating headlines recently, it’s now Major League Baseball’s turn. The Eastern District of New York has indicted Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for allegedly taking bribes to manipulate the outcomes of games.
paid to help two bettors from their native Dominican Republic win over $400,000 in prop bets
Prosecutors allege the players were paid to help two bettors from their native Dominican Republic win more than $400,000 in prop bets. Both players have been on disciplinary paid leave since July, when MLB began investigating suspicious betting activity linked to games in which they pitched.
The indictment, unsealed on Sunday, outlines a series of charges against the pair, including money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and wire fraud conspiracy. These charges add up to 65 years in prison if convicted.
Details of the case
The FBI arrested Ortiz on Sunday at Boston Logan International Airport, while Clase is not yet in US custody. Speaking about the case, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr. said the defendants “betrayed America’s pastime.” He added that they let down fans “who believe in fair play,” their teammates, MLB, and the sportsbooks they defrauded.
The indictment reveals specific details of how the players fixed games. They allegedly agreed in advance with bettors on which pitches they would throw. The co-conspirators then placed hundreds of wagers on those exact pitches. The FBI believes the scheme began around May 2023.
Bettors placed wagers on the speed and type of pitches Clase, who is a relief pitcher, would throw. Some pitches were deliberately thrown into the dirt to ensure they were recorded as balls.
Clase also allegedly gave money to bettors to help them continue placing wagers. He would often text his co-conspirators right before taking the mound to pass along the information.
Ortiz was offered $5,000 to throw a rigged pitch in one game
Ortiz supposedly became involved in June 2025. The feds outlined how Ortiz was offered $5,000 to throw a rigged pitch in one game and Clase received $5,000 for arranging the rigging. Here’s footage of one of the suspect throws:
Maintaining their innocence
The reaction on social media has been one of disbelief. Many questioned why they would jeopardize their careers, where they earn millions of dollars, in return for between $5,000 and $7,000 per game. Clase is a three-time All-Star, and his 2025 salary in Ohio was $4.5m.
Ortiz’s lawyer insists his client is innocent, saying he “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game — not for anyone and not for anything.” They maintain that the money transfers between Ortiz and contacts in the Dominican Republic were related to lawful activities, often labeled as payments for “house repairs.”
Clase’s lawyer, Michael J. Ferrara, made similar comments. The Cleveland Guardians issued a statement saying they will fully cooperate with the investigation.
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