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FROM STARS TO SUSPECTS — EMMANUEL CLASE, LUIS ORTIZ FACE PITCH-RIGGING ALLEGATIONS
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on federal charges for taking bribes to manipulate pitches for sports bettors. The alleged scheme netted gamblers over $460,000 on in-game prop bets.
Luis Ortiz pitching - Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians have been charged with accepting bribes from sports bettors to throw specific pitches—such as throwing balls in the dirt rather than strikes—to guarantee winning wagers.
The indictment, which was made public in federal court in Brooklyn on Sunday, claims that the highly compensated hurlers accepted payoffs totalling several thousand dollars to assist two unidentified gamblers from their home country of the Dominican Republic in winning at least $460,000 through in-game prop bets on the velocity and result of certain pitches.
Since Major League Baseball began looking into what it said was abnormally high in-game betting activity when the Guardians' former closer Clase and starter Ortiz pitched, they have been on non-disciplinary paid leave. The aforementioned games took place in April, May, and June.
The FBI took 26-year-old Ortiz into custody at Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday. On Monday, he is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston. Officials stated the 27-year-old Clase was not in custody.
"Betrayed America's pastime," said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., Ortiz and Clase. Fair play, honesty, and integrity are ingrained in professional sports. When corruption creeps into the sport, it not only embarrasses the players but also undermines public confidence in an essential and beloved institution.
"Has never, and would never, unfairly influence a game – not for anyone and not for anything," said Chris Georgalis, Ortiz's attorney, in a statement, claiming his client was innocent.
According to Georgalis, Ortiz's defence team had previously provided prosecutors with documentation proving that the money transfers and payments he made to people in the Dominican Republic were for legitimate purposes.
"With every pitch and inning, Luis tried to win games; there is no solid proof that he did anything else. "Luis is eager to defend himself in court against these accusations," Georgalis stated.
Clase's attorney did not immediately respond to emails asking for comment. There was no response from the Major League Baseball Players Association.
An investigation was initiated by unusual betting activity
When it started looking into strange betting activity, Major League Baseball says it got in touch with federal law enforcement and "has completely cooperated" with the authorities. According to a league statement, "We are aware of the indictment and today's arrest, and our investigation is ongoing."
"We are aware of the latest law enforcement action," the Guardians said in a statement. As their investigations go, we will be completely cooperative with both Major League Baseball and law enforcement."
Clase and Ortiz face charges of conspiracy to influence athletic events through bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder money. The maximum penalty for the most serious charges is 20 years in prison.
In one instance mentioned in the indictment, Clase allegedly called a bettor shortly before he took the mound and invited him to a game against the Boston Red Sox in April. According to the indictment, the bettor and his partners earned $11,000 four minutes later on a bet that Clase would throw a certain pitch more slowly than 97.95 mph (157.63 kph).
According to the indictment, in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in May, Clase consented to toss a ball at a specific moment, but the batter swung, resulting in a strike, costing the bettors $4,000 in wagers. According to the indictment, Clase texted one of the bettors after the game, which the Guardians won, with pictures of a dejected puppy dog face and a man hanging himself with toilet paper.
As the fourth season of a $20 million, five-year contract, Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, earned $4.5 million in 2025. According to authorities, the three-time AL save leader started giving the bettors details on his pitches in 2023 but did not request payouts until this year.
The indictment listed specific pitches that Clase allegedly rigged, all of which were first pitches when he entered to start an inning: a slider to Minnesota's Ryan Jeffers that bounced well short of home plate on June 3, 2023, an 89.4 mph (143.8 kph) cutter to Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr. that bounced on April 12; a 99.1 mph (159.5 kph) cutter in the dirt to Philadelphia's Max Kepler on May 11; a bounced 89.1 mph (143.4) slider to Milwaukee's Jake Bauers on May 13; and a bounced 87.5 mph (140.8 kph) slider to Cincinnati's Santiago Espinal on May 17.
Ortiz, who earned $782,600 this season, allegedly joined the plan in June and is charged with pitch-rigging in games against the St. Louis Cardinals and the Seattle Mariners, according to the prosecution.
Ortiz received a citation for bouncing a first-pitch slider to Randy Arozarena of Seattle at 86.7 mph (139.5 kph) at the beginning of the second inning on June 15 and for bouncing a slider to Pedro Pagés of St. Louis that travelled to the backstop at the beginning of the third inning on June 27.
Numerous professional players have faced charges related to gambling sweeps.
The allegations are the most shocking new information in a government assault on professional sports betting.
In a gambling sweep that shook the NBA last month, over 30 people were arrested, including well-known basketball players like Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat and Chauncey Billups, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Although scandals involving sports betting have long been a worry, a May 2018 decision by the US Supreme Court sparked a surge in gambling-related occurrences involving athletes and officials. The decision allowed internet sportsbooks to establish a significant presence in the sports ecosystem by overturning a federal ban on sports betting in the majority of states.
In June 2024, Major League Baseball penalised five players, including Tucupita Marcano, an infielder from San Diego, who was banned for life for reportedly placing 387 baseball wagers totalling over $150,000 with a legitimate sportsbook.
GRAND FINAL HERO BACK AT RHINOS TO INSPIRE COACHING SUCCESS
Leeds Rhinos have appointed 2012 Grand Final winner Shaun Lunt as a reserves coach. The former England hooker will assist Chev Walker, helping to develop the next generation of stars at Headingley.
Shaun Lunt celebrates during the 2012 Grand Final - COURTESY/PHOTO
One of the Grand Final winners has rejoined the Leeds Rhinos as a coach.
Shaun Lunt, a former England hooker who played for the Rhinos twice, will support reserves manager Chev Walker in the upcoming campaign. Lunt played a part in Leeds' 2012 Super League title retention victory over Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.
He was loaned to the Rhinos from the Huddersfield Giants for that season. He returned seven years later in a trade that saw Matt Parcell join Hull KR. The 38-year-old Cumbrian played for Workington Town, Batley Bulldogs, and Castleford Tigers before starting his professional career.
Having coached the Pennine League team Mirfield, Lunt said on social media that he is "unbelievably thrilled" to be helping Walker. "It is really an enormous honour to return to Leeds and assist with the next generation of players," he continued.
This year, Walker led the Rhinos' reserves to a Grand Final victory and the top spot on the standings. In addition, he oversaw the academy, which finished second in both the league and the championship match. Walker will continue to lead the second-string, and Simon Brown, a former Leeds player, will take over as the under-18s coach for the upcoming campaign.
NFL HITS RAVENS WR WITH PUNISHMENT AFTER DOLPHINS VICTORY
Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod Bateman was fined $25,154 by the NFL for verbal abuse of an official in Week 9. The penalty occurred during the team's 28-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Ravens WR disciplined - COURTESY/PHOTO
The NFL fined Rashod Bateman for verbally assaulting a referee during the Ravens' victory over the Dolphins in Week 9.
After Lamar Jackson recovered from a hamstring injury in Week 9, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 28–6. The Ravens had their second consecutive victory, and following a dismal start to the 2025 season, they are now feeling upbeat as they enter Week 10.
Nevertheless, the NFL went back and disciplined certain players for their behaviour in Week 9 before turning the page to Sunday's schedule. Rashod Bateman, a wide receiver for Baltimore, was among the players that infuriated the league after receiving a heavy fine for a violation he committed during the team's most recent victory.
The NFL Fines Ravens Wide Receiver Rashod Bateman
Rashod Bateman of the Ravens was fined $25,154 by the NFL for verbally abusing an official last week, which is considered unsportsmanlike behaviour. Bateman was flagged as well.
Expectations of a Super Bowl run were high for Baltimore going into the season. Rather, the club struggled to a 1-5 start, and going into Week 8, their chances of making the playoffs were slim. Tyler Huntley led the team to an unexpected upset victory over the Chicago Bears after he was selected as the starting quarterback over Cooper Rush. A few days later, Jackson's return propelled the squad to their previously noted victory over the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
Now that Jackson is playing, the Ravens seem to have endless possibilities. Even though they are only two games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, Baltimore still has control over their own fate in terms of possibly winning their division because it still has two games against the Steelers left on its schedule.
Although defeating Miami was a significant step in the right direction, there were some negative aspects to this victory. During the game, Bateman yelled obscenities at an official, earning him a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior. However, the NFL did not let him off the hook there; he was also fined $25,154 for his acts.
For verbally abusing an official last week, Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman was fined $25,154 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike behaviour. In a post on X, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero revealed that Bateman was also flagged.
In Week 10, the Ravens aim to win three games in a row.
Even though Bateman probably will not be pleased with his fine, at least it was a win. Bateman, who has only 15 catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns this season, will be hoping to regain his position as a major offensive player now that Jackson is back under centre. Baltimore's hopes of making a late-season postseason run will undoubtedly be aided by getting him going in the passing attack.
The Ravens' Week 10 draw against the Minnesota Vikings, who are coming off a huge upset victory over the Detroit Lions, will make things a little more challenging. The game is set to kick off at 1 p.m. ET, and Baltimore needs to win this one if it wants to maintain its prospects of making the playoffs.
Crisafulli, Owen At Heavy, Owen Crisafulli writes breaking news. Owen is a content producer for More Views Media in addition to being a writer for Heavy. ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided have all featured his work, where he offered his opinions on a range of sports-related subjects, mostly pertaining to the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Crisafulli Owen
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