Two Major League Baseball pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians have been indicted in a shocking gambling scheme that allegedly involved manipulating pitches during games to benefit sports bettors.
The Federal Charges
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face serious federal charges including fraud, conspiracy and bribery according to prosecutors in Brooklyn. The indictment alleges the pitchers participated in a scheme to rig bets on specific pitches thrown during MLB games.
Court documents reveal that Ortiz was arrested on Sunday in Boston, while Clase remains at large and has not yet been taken into custody. The investigation, first reported by ESPN, suggests the pitchers worked with bettors to manipulate game outcomes for financial gain.
Timeline of Events
The breaking news emerged on Sunday 09 November 2025 when federal authorities unsealed the indictment. The scheme represents one of the most significant gambling scandals to hit Major League Baseball in recent years.
Prosecutors allege the pitchers coordinated with bettors to throw specific pitches that would determine the outcome of wagers placed on pitch-by-pitch betting markets. This type of in-game betting has become increasingly popular across sports betting platforms.
Impact on Baseball
The scandal threatens to undermine the integrity of America's pastime at a time when sports betting partnerships have become increasingly common across professional sports leagues.
Major League Baseball has strict policies prohibiting players from gambling on baseball games, with particular severity for actions that could compromise game integrity. The league faces mounting pressure to address what could become a major crisis for the sport.
Both pitchers could face significant penalties including potential lifetime bans from professional baseball if the allegations are proven in court. The Cleveland Guardians organization has yet to release an official statement regarding the indictments.
