Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has promised full cooperation with the U.S. Senate’s investigation into a gambling scandal involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. The scandal, which centers on allegations of pitch-rigging for illegal betting, has prompted MLB to implement new measures to curb the practice, including limiting bets on individual pitches to $200 and excluding them from parlays. These changes were announced following the indictment of Clase and Ortiz, who have both pleaded not guilty to federal charges of taking bribes to manipulate game outcomes.
The Senate committee, led by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, has issued a formal request for documents by December 5, asking for detailed responses to six questions. Manfred, addressing the league’s owners, stated that MLB would comply fully with the request, emphasizing the league’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The investigation follows a broader trend of heightened scrutiny on sports gambling, with the Senate probe being part of a larger effort to combat illegal betting practices affecting professional sports.
Clase, a three-time All-Star, and Ortiz, both members of the Guardians, are accused of participating in a scheme that spanned from May 2023 to June 2025. The indictment alleges that Clase coordinated with a co-conspirator to throw specific pitches in certain games, enabling gamblers to profit from illegal wagers. Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025 and participated in several high-profile games, including matches against the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox. The indictment details specific instances where Clase used his phone during games to communicate with bettors, highlighting the extent of the alleged misconduct.
The financial implications of the scandal are significant, with bettors reportedly earning over $400,000 from bets on Clase’s pitches. The indictment also revealed that Ortiz’s alleged actions resulted in over $60,000 in illegal winnings. These figures underscore the scale of the financial risk posed to the sport and its stakeholders. In response, MLB has moved to restrict betting on individual pitches, a move Manfred called a ‘significant change’ that should reduce the incentive for misconduct. Despite these measures, the league’s internal investigation into the matter remains ongoing, with no set timeline for its completion.
Manfred’s statement on cooperation with the Senate reflects the broader political and legal scrutiny the league faces. The case is not isolated, as similar issues have affected other sports leagues, including the NBA, where three players were recently arrested in an FBI operation linked to illegal gambling. The ongoing investigation into Clase and Ortiz, coupled with MLB’s internal probe, underscores the league’s efforts to address the issue comprehensively. With both players set to face trial, the situation highlights the growing intersection between sports and gambling, raising important questions about ethics, regulation, and the future of professional athletics in the age of legalized betting.