Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has confirmed the league will fully cooperate with an ongoing Senate inquiry into a widespread gambling scandal involving pitch manipulation. The probe focuses on Cleveland Guardians players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who were recently indicted for allegedly accepting bribes to influence game outcomes. Both players have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include orchestrating illegal betting schemes through the manipulation of pitches during MLB games.
The Senate committee, led by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, has requested detailed responses by December 5 to six specific questions regarding the scandal. MLB has already taken measures to address the issue, including capping bets on individual pitches at $200 and excluding them from parlays. Manfred emphasized that these changes aim to reduce the financial incentives for participation in such illegal activities. Despite these steps, internal investigations into the players’ activities remain ongoing, with no fixed timeline for completion. Ortiz was placed on paid leave in July, while Clase was placed on leave in late August, pending further scrutiny.
The allegations against Clase and Ortiz detail a scheme that spanned from May 2023 to June 2025, during which Clase allegedly coordinated with bettors to throw specific pitches in critical moments of games, earning significant sums for his actions. Ortiz is said to have joined the scheme in June 2025, agreeing to alter pitches in exchange for bribes. The indictment cites specific games, including instances against the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox, highlighting the extent of the alleged corruption. Clase’s use of his phone during games to coordinate with bettors further underscores the seriousness of the accusations. The total amount allegedly wagered on pitches by Clase reached over $400,000, while Ortiz’s involvement is tied to at least $60,000 in bets. These figures illustrate the potential scale of the financial incentives driving the scandal.
The scandal has drawn attention not only within MLB but also in the wider sports landscape, following similar allegations in the NBA, where Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones were recently arrested in an FBI operation. The Senate’s involvement highlights the growing scrutiny of sports leagues in addressing the intersection of gambling and athletic integrity. Manfred’s commitment to transparency and cooperation signals a desire to address the broader implications of the scandal, including potential legal and reputational consequences for the league. As the investigation progresses, MLB faces mounting pressure to implement long-term reforms to safeguard the integrity of the sport.