Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz, 26, has pleaded not guilty to federal bribery charges related to a gambling scheme involving pitch-fixing. Ortiz was arrested at Boston’s Logan International Airport and released on $500,000 bond following his court appearance in Brooklyn. His teammates, including Emmanuel Clase, were also charged in the case, which alleges they colluded with gamblers to manipulate pitch outcomes for financial gain. The indictment describes a conspiracy that spanned several months, with Ortiz allegedly joining the scheme in June 2025.
The case details incidents where Ortiz and Clase allegedly coordinated with bettors to throw specific types of pitches, enabling illicit wagers. One instance highlighted in the indictment involved Ortiz agreeing to throw a ball on his first pitch of the game against the Seattle Mariners for a $5,000 bribe. Similarly, he allegedly accepted a $7,000 bribe for throwing a ball in the third inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The indictment states that bettors reportedly won at least $60,000 from bets placed on pitches thrown by Ortiz between June 2025 and September 2025.
Clase’s alleged involvement dates back to May 2023, with the indictment citing specific games, including a matchup against the New York Mets, a game against the Minnesota Twins, and a contest against the Boston Red Sox. The indictment describes how Clase allegedly used his phone during games to coordinate with a bettor regarding pitches. According to the indictment, Clase and Ortiz’s actions not only defrauded betting platforms but also deprived Major League Baseball and the Cleveland Guardians of their honest services and potentially misled the public and fans.
MLB has responded to the allegations, stating that it conducted its own investigation into the matter and has fully cooperated with federal law enforcement. The organization’s August statement mentioned that their investigation is ongoing and that they are aware of the indictment. Ortiz and Clase were initially placed on non-disciplinary paid leave following the July 3 investigation. The charges also follow a series of similar cases, including the recent arrests of NBA figures in a federal gambling operation, indicating that such schemes have broader implications across sports.
The legal implications of the case are significant, with both Ortiz and Clase facing potential charges that could result in substantial penalties. Their attorney, Michael Ferrara, expressed deep concern over Clase’s involvement, stating that he has dedicated his life to baseball and that such actions betray his commitment. The case highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining the integrity of professional sports and the need for robust measures to prevent and detect gambling-related misconduct.