Big news in the world of baseball.
We already knew that pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were in trouble due to a major sports betting scandal. But now we know a little more.
Both Cleveland Guardians pitchers are facing charges in a sports betting case. Ortiz was arrested today in Boston, but Clase is not currently in the United States.
More than ever, we shouldn't expect them to return to MLB.
BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Claes and Luis Ortiz have been indicted by Brooklyn prosecutors on multiple charges related to a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. Ortiz was arrested this morning in Boston. Claeys is not currently in custody.
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 9, 2025
Both cases involve situations where pitchers intentionally threw balls to win bets such as whether the next pitch would be a strike or a ball.
Claeys would start it in 2023 and Ortiz in 2025.
The 23-page indictment against Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz lays out an alleged scheme in which pitchers intentionally threw balls so gamblers could bet on pitches being balls or strikes. Prosecutors say it all started back in May 2023 with Claise and later included Ortiz.
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 9, 2025
On two occasions, Ortiz allegedly threw the ball while Claeys assisted him. The two men made $5,000 each on June 15 when this happened, and the same on June 27, but $7,000 each.
Has this happened before or not? If the answer is no, you have to wonder if these two guys risked their careers and quality of life for… $12,000 each.
If so, then they must have had serious financial problems.
Either way, both pitchers now face at least 65 years in prison each. The list includes charges of fraud, conspiracy and bribery.
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to the Eastern District of New York, which laid out the case against Clase and Ortiz after charging them with fraud, conspiracy and bribery. pic.twitter.com/9UjlZ2Iw7m
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 9, 2025
Obviously the guys are going to defend themselves. For example, Ortiz's lawyer said his client is innocent. We should expect Clayes to say the same.
I wonder what impact this will have on other MLB players who should stay away from gamble.
This content was created using artificial intelligence.
