The world of Major League Baseball (MLB) has been hit by a shocking scandal involving two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians. Emmanuel Clase and Luis Leandro Ortiz stand accused of being part of a sports betting and money laundering scheme, where they allegedly rigged some of their pitches during games.
On Sunday, federal prosecutors and the FBI revealed that both players took bribes to throw pitches in ways that favored illegal bets placed by co-conspirators. The scheme reportedly brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars through fraudulent online wagers.
FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia put it bluntly: "The defendants' alleged greed not only established an unfair advantage for select bettors, but also sullied the reputation of America's pastime." Despite these charges, both players have denied any wrongdoing.
According to the indictment, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase worked together with others to place fake bets on online sportsbooks. They shared inside info in advance, which allowed their associates, and sometimes themselves, to win money based on rigged pitch outcomes.
Clase allegedly got involved around May 2023, and Ortiz about June 2025. Prosecutors say each player was paid kickbacks for giving confidential pitching info. For instance, before a game on June 27, 2025, Ortiz was reportedly paid $7,000 to throw a rigged pitch, while Clase took the same amount for setting it up. Clase also took out $50,000 in cash before that game and handed $15,000 to a partner who used it to place bets.
The fallout was costly: Ortiz’s rigged pitches helped co-conspirators win at least $60,000 in illegal bets. Clase’s involvement allegedly led to $400,000 or more in winnings for the group.
US Attorney Joseph Nocella stated, "The defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services. They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed." He added that corruption "brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust" in this beloved sport.
Luis Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday, but Emmanuel Clase hasn’t been taken into US custody yet. MLB placed both players on paid leave during the summer as it investigated the gambling concerns.
The serious charges they face include wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.
The Cleveland Guardians issued a statement saying they are cooperating fully with law enforcement and MLB in the ongoing investigation.
Luis Ortiz's lawyer told CBS News he is "innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw." He emphasized Ortiz “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game, not for anyone and not for anything.”
Meanwhile, representatives for Emmanuel Clase stated he reportedly "doesn't bet" and that the investigation into him was still active before the indictment.
This scandal comes just weeks after a major FBI crackdown on sports betting and money laundering linked to the NBA and crime families in New York. The MLB situation reminds everyone how vulnerable major sports can be to illegal gambling schemes and how damaging it is when trust is broken.
For baseball fans, this is a tough blow. The integrity of the game means everything, and having players allegedly throw games for cash shakes that faith. It also puts a spotlight back on the huge problem of illegal sports betting that authorities are trying hard to control.
Baseball has long been a symbol of fair play, community, and tradition, beloved by millions. Now, the league, the teams, and the fans are hoping for transparency, justice, and a way to protect the game’s honesty going forward.
When scandals shake the sports world, it’s a reminder of how critical integrity and sharp analysis really are. At Bankroll U, our playmakers stay focused on the data, delivering clean, reliable insights no headline can compromise.