2 MLB pitchers face decades in prison for allegedly throwing games for cash
Two Major League Baseball pitchers allegedly gambled on pitches –– netting hundreds of thousands of dollars for bettors in the process. The New York Times reports Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been charged by the Eastern District of New York with sharing inside information with sports bettors.
How did the scheme go down?
According to the indictment, Clase arranged with a bettor beginning in May 2023 to throw specific pitches for balls. The bettor would then place prop bets for a profit. Prosecutors say Ortiz joined in June 2025. Clase and Ortiz were paid kickbacks on gambling winnings over $450,000.
Ortiz was arrested in Boston and is facing his first federal court appearance on Monday. Clase is currently not in custody. Both face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, 20 years for honest services wire fraud conspiracy, 20 years for money laundering and five years for conspiracy to influence sports betting events by bribery.
The MLB placed both players on non-disciplinary paid leave back in July.
MLB, Guardians respond
The league released a statement to ESPN that reads, “MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process. We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”
The Guardians also shared a short statement: “We are aware of the recent law enforcement action. We will continue to fully cooperate with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball as their investigations continue.”
One month ago, the Eastern District of New York charged the NBA’s Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups in connection with another federal gambling-related investigation. The two are among 34 people charged in two gambling-related federal investigations.
Others include suspected members of New York’s Bonanno, Genovese, Gambino and Luchese crime families. Billups and Rozier specifically have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
