- Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers are under federal indictment in connection with an MLB pitch-fixing and betting scheme that generated more than $450,000 in fraudulent wagers.
- Prosecutors say Emmanuel Clase coordinated the operation, using in-game communication to fix pitch outcomes before Luis Ortiz joined the scheme in 2025.
- Both players face multiple felony charges, including wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering conspiracies, each carrying potential 20-year prison sentences.
BOSTON — Federal prosecutors have charged two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera and Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz, with participating in an illegal sports betting operation that allegedly generated over $450,000 through rigged pitches.
Ortiz, 26, was taken into custody in Boston and appeared in court Monday, while Clase, 27, remains outside U.S. custody. Wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy are among the several counts against both athletes.
The plan allegedly started in May 2023 when Clase collaborated with corrupt bettors to rig proposition bets involving his pitching, according to court documents. He purposefully delivered incorrect or off-speed pitches, frequently on the first pitch of at-bats, in order to affect betting results, which gave conspirators an unfair advantage over other bettors on Bettinglegal sports betting platforms.
He allegedly used his smartphone to contact with conspirators during games, which is a clear violation of MLB rules.
How the Alleged Pitch-Fixing Scheme Unfolded
Investigators claim that bettors made significant gains from the rigged games, and that these profits increased as the organization grew.
| Date | Alleged Event | Estimated Winnings |
|---|---|---|
| May 2023 | Clase begins coordinating with bettors | — |
| Game vs. Mets | Rigged first-pitch balls | $27,000 |
| Game vs. Red Sox | Second manipulation reported | $38,000 |
| June 15, 2025 | Ortiz joins, throws intentional ball vs. Mariners | $26,000 |
| June 27, 2025 | Clase withdraws $50,000 to fund additional bets |
In June of 2025, Ortiz is said to have joined the plot. He allegedly took a $5,000 bribe to toss a ball instead of a strike prior to a June 15 game against the Seattle Mariners, and Clase was paid an extra $5,000 for helping to arrange the fix. Bettors received rewards of almost $26,000 from just one pitch, according to MLB betting sites.
Prosecutors claim the operation intensified later that month when Clase withdrew $50,000 in cash, paying Ortiz and himself $7,000 each and disguising additional transfers to associates in the Dominican Republic as horse-related transactions.
Federal authorities described the scheme as a serious breach of professional baseball’s integrity, defrauding both Major League Baseball and licensed sports betting operators. The Cleveland Guardians have confirmed they are cooperating fully with investigators.
If convicted, both Ortiz and Clase could face sentences of up to 20 years in prison on several of the charges.
