Ex-Guardians pitchers face $460,000 fraud trial

Former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face a federal jury in Brooklyn on Monday. Prosecutors say the two accepted bribes to help Dominican gamblers win at least $460,000 on in-game prop bets.

The indictment claims Clase began sharing pitch information with the bettors in 2023. He recruited Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. Both men have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges. They remain on nondisciplinary leave from the Guardians without pay while the legal process unfolds.

Clase, 28, served as the team's closer and earned a salary of $782,600 during the 2025 season. Ortiz, 27, started for the club that same year. Clase holds a three-year, $20 million contract with the franchise. He had completed his fourth season when the charges became public in November 2025.

The trial is expected to last one month in Brooklyn federal court. Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto said she hopes to finish jury selection quickly so lawyers can deliver short opening statements in the afternoon. Witnesses are expected to include professional catchers and baseball executives.

Defense attorneys argue the pitchers were simply varying pitch placement to confuse batters rather than colluding with gamblers. They contend the players did not work with the bettors to fix the outcomes.

Matsumoto ruled on Friday that prosecutors cannot show the jury proof that Clase owed $500,000 in U.S. taxes. The judge cited a late turnover of evidence to the defense. A prosecutor argued the tax debt was necessary to counter claims that Clase had no financial incentive to take bribes because he held millions in accounts in the Dominican Republic.

The pitchers face four counts: wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. Major League Baseball and the Guardians state they have fully cooperated with authorities. MLB told federal law enforcement about the unusual betting activity during its own investigation.