MLB pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz charged with taking bribes to rig pitches for bettors

The Associated Press ^ | November 9, 2025

[Oldeconomybuyer]

NEW YORK (AP) — Two Major League Baseball pitchers were indicted Sunday on charges they took bribes to give sports bettors advance notice of the types of pitches they’d throw and intentionally tossed balls instead of strikes to ensure successful bets.

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, both of whom pitched for the Cleveland Guardians, have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July while Major League Baseball investigated unusually high in-game betting activity when they pitched.

Clase, 27, and Ortiz, 26, were both charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and money laundering conspiracy. The top charges carry a potential punishment of up to 20 years in prison in the event of a conviction.

Ortiz was arrested by the FBI on Sunday morning at Boston Logan International Airport. He is expected to appear in federal court in Boston on Monday.

Major League Baseball said it contacted federal law enforcement when it began investigating the unusual betting activity and “has fully cooperated” with authorities. “We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing,” its statement said.

[ArcadeQuarters]

Nooooo!

[af_vet_1981]

The two pitchers are underpaid compared to similar performers,

and both are from the Dominican Republic. In prison they will be paid much less.

AI:
Emmanuel Clase's 2025 salary is $4.5 million as part of a 5-year, $20 million contract with the Cleveland Guardians. The contract also includes a $6.4 million salary for 2026 and club options for 2027 and 2028 that can add more money based on performance.

The salary of Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz depends on the year and his contract: his 2025 salary was $782,600. In the past, his salary has varied, with a reported cash total of $744,000 in 2024.