Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has confirmed that the league will fully cooperate with a U.S. Senate committee’s investigation into an illegal gambling scandal involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who have pleaded not guilty to federal charges. The inquiry follows an indictment that alleges the players conspired to rig pitches for gamblers, with Clase allegedly receiving bribes as early as April 2024.
Manfred made the announcement during a news conference at an owners meeting, stating that MLB will respond to the Senate’s request for documents detailing the gambling investigations. The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has requested detailed documents by December 5th, with six specific questions to be addressed. The probe comes in the wake of the unsealing of an indictment on November 9th, which accuses Clase and Ortiz of orchestrating a scheme to influence game outcomes for profit.
The indictment claims that Clase, a three-time All-Star, coordinated with gamblers via phone calls during games, including a critical pitch in a game against the New York Mets on May 19, 2023. Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme later, agreeing to throw specific pitches in exchange for financial incentives. The indictment details instances of such alleged misconduct, including a $5,000 bribe for a pitch against the Seattle Mariners in June 2024 and a $7,000 bribe for a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in June 2024. At least $60,000 in profits were reported from Ortiz’s alleged actions.
In response to the scandal, MLB has taken measures to limit the impact of illegal betting by imposing a $200 cap on bets for individual pitches and excluding them from parlays. Manfred emphasized that these adjustments should significantly reduce the incentive for anyone to engage in inappropriate conduct. However, the league’s internal investigation remains ongoing, with no defined timeline set for its completion. Both Clase and Ortiz have been placed on paid leave and will face further scrutiny as the legal and ethical implications of their alleged actions unfold.
Manfred also highlighted the importance of transparency, stating that MLB is committed to ensuring that the entire league benefits from the lessons learned from the scandal. The league’s cooperation with the Senate inquiry is part of its broader effort to address the issue of illegal gambling within professional sports. The case has raised concerns about the integrity of the sport and the need for continued vigilance in safeguarding the game’s reputation.
The scandal is not isolated to MLB, as it follows similar issues in other sports leagues, including the NBA, where Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones were among those arrested in an FBI operation involving alleged illegal gambling. These events underscore the growing risks of organized crime infiltrating professional sports and the challenges faced by leagues in maintaining clean and fair competition.