Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has pledged full cooperation with the U.S. Senate Committee’s inquiry into a major gambling scandal involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. The league’s commitment to transparency comes as both players have pleaded not guilty to federal gambling charges, facing allegations that they participated in a scheme to rig pitches for bettors.
The Senate Committee, led by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, has requested documentation from MLB by December 5 as part of its investigation into the illicit activities. The inquiry, which is under the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, is asking for responses to six questions related to the investigation. This follows the unsealing of indictments against Clase and Ortiz on November 9, which detailed their alleged involvement in a fraudulent scheme that spanned from May 2023 to June 2025.
Clase, a three-time All-Star, and Ortiz, who were arrested last week, are accused of conspiring with gamblers to alter pitches in specific MLB games, resulting in significant financial gains for bettors. The indictment alleges that Clase coordinated with a bettor to throw specific pitches during games, including an incident on May 19, 2023, against the New York Mets, and June 2, 2023, against the Minnesota Twins. Ortiz allegedly began his participation in the scheme in June 2025, agreeing to throw pitches on specific game days in exchange for bribes, including a reported $5,000 for a first pitch against the Seattle Mariners on June 15.
MLB has already taken disciplinary action by imposing new betting limits, capping individual pitch bets at $200 and excluding them from parlays, as part of its response to the scandal. The league also announced that its internal investigation into the incident does not have a set timetable, emphasizing the need for a thorough examination during the offseason. Both Clase and Ortiz have maintained their innocence, with their attorneys stating that they will not be involved in the Senate’s inquiry and that they are cooperating with the MLB investigation. The scandal has sparked broader discussions about the integrity of professional sports and the need for stronger measures to prevent illegal gambling activities, particularly in the context of high-profile athletes and their potential for corruption.