Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians pitches in the bottom of the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins on April 30, 2025 in Cleveland.
Sue Ogrocki AP Photo
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers have been indicted on charges related to a sports gambling and money laundering conspiracy, federal prosecutors announced Sunday. This is the latest scandal related to gambling across professional sports.
According to the indictment, Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz accepted bribes as part of a scheme to fraudulently bet on pitches thrown during Major League Baseball games. Prosecutors say the scheme began in May 2023 with Clase and later included Ortiz.
Both players, who are facing federal charges of fraud, conspiracy and bribery, were placed on administrative leave by MLB officials in July as the league conducted an investigation into gambling. If convicted of the serious charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
“MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the beginning of the investigation and has cooperated fully throughout the process. We are aware of the charges and today’s arrest, and the investigation is ongoing,” the league said in a statement.
The Major League Baseball Players Association declined to comment. In a statement, the Cleveland Guardians said, “We are aware of the recent actions of law enforcement and will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as the investigation continues.”
Chris Georgalis, a partner and co-founder of the Cleveland-based law firm Flannery Georgalis, told CNBC that his client, Luis Ortiz, is “innocent of the charges related to the two pitches he threw.” There is no credible evidence that Sus did anything other than intentionally try to win the game every pitch and every inning. Lewis looks forward to fighting these charges in court. The government’s case is weak and dependent on the circumstances, and he will continue to do so. Protect yourself and he will win. ”
According to the indictment, both pitchers had agreed in advance with their co-conspirators about the specific pitches they would throw during games. The co-conspirators used that information to place “hundreds of fraudulent bets on those pitches,” according to the indictment.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants on June 17, 2025 in San Francisco.
Jeff Chiu | AP Photo
For example, the indictment alleges that Clase agreed with sports officials to place prop bets on specific pitches he would throw, including the speed and type of pitches thrown, often on the first pitch of an at-bat. According to the indictment, Clase often pitched in the dirt, well outside the strike zone. As a result, players received bribes and kickbacks, and Mr. Clase also provided funds to bettors to further the scheme.
The indictment also includes an example of pitching in a game against the New York Mets in which Clase allegedly committed match-fixing. The indictment charges that Mr. Crace caused his co-conspirators to win a total of at least $400,000 in fraudulent bets.
The fraudulent gambling scheme is the latest incident to intertwine illegal gambling with professional and college sports.
Last month, the federal government released an indictment alleging confidential information about players was leaked to gamblers, including an allegation that Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat tipped off bettors to help them win prop bets.
Several leagues, including the National Football League, suspend players who violate betting rules.
This story is developing. Please check back for the latest information.
—CNBC’s Jessica Golden and Jim Forkin contributed reporting.
