Key Highlights
- Two Major League Baseball pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians have been charged in connection with a sports betting scheme.
- The pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Leandro Ortiz, are accused of taking bribes to rig pitches during games.
- Prosecutors allege that the scheme involved hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal wagers and harmed the integrity of MLB.
- The players have denied any wrongdoing, with their lawyers stating they are innocent of the charges related to specific pitches.
Two Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Charged in Major Sports Gambling Scheme
Federal prosecutors and the FBI announced on Sunday that Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, two pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians, have been charged with involvement in a significant sports gambling scheme. The charges highlight the ongoing issue of corruption within professional sports.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
The indictment details how the two players coordinated with co-conspirators to place and facilitate fraudulent bets on specific pitches they threw during Major League Baseball games. According to prosecutors, Clase joined the scheme around May 2023, while Ortiz became involved in June 2025.
In one instance, prior to a game on June 27, 2025, Ortiz was paid $7,000 by bettors to throw a rigged pitch, and Clase received the same amount for arranging it. The indictment further states that Clase took out $50,000 in cash before the game and gave $15,000 to a co-conspirator who used it to place illegal bets on the pitch.
Financial Impact of the Scheme
The scheme is alleged to have generated significant profits for the players. Ortiz’s rigged pitches are said to have helped his co-conspirators win at least $60,000 from the illegal wagers, while Clase’s efforts brought in over $400,000 for his co-conspirators.
Player Denials and Legal Proceedings
The players have denied any wrongdoing. In a statement to CBS News, Luis Ortiz’s lawyer, Chris Georgalis, stated that his client is innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw. “He has never, and would never, improperly influence a game—not for anyone and not for anything,” Georgalis told CBS.
The Cleveland Guardians have also expressed their cooperation with law enforcement and the MLB in investigating this matter. The team said they are fully cooperating with both entities as part of the probe into sports gambling.
Broader Implications
This case comes at a time when the issue of sports betting and corruption within professional leagues is under scrutiny. Just weeks ago, the FBI announced arrests in connection with similar schemes involving an NBA player and coach, as well as members of New York crime families.
The charges against Clase and Ortiz highlight the potential for financial gain that can drive such illegal activities. The Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball have taken steps to address these issues, but the incident underscores the ongoing need for enhanced measures to prevent similar violations in the future.
