In brief
Two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have been indicted on multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery. The indictments come amid an ongoing investigation into irregular betting activities associated with their performances. Ortiz has been arrested, with both players facing potential sentences of up to 20 years if convicted. Major League Baseball has confirmed its cooperation with federal law enforcement in the investigation, as they deal with the ramifications of these serious allegations.
NEW YORK – Two Major League Baseball pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have been indicted on charges of accepting bribes to inform sports bettors about the types of pitches they would throw and deliberately throwing balls instead of strikes to ensure successful bets on their games.
Clase, aged 27, and Ortiz, aged 26, both played for the Cleveland Guardians and have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July while MLB investigated unusual in-game betting activity related to their performances.
The charges against the pitchers include wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests through bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, with the most serious charges carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence upon conviction.
Ortiz was arrested by the FBI at Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday morning and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston.
In response to the indictments, Major League Baseball announced it had contacted federal law enforcement to address the unusual betting activities and stated, We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.
The Guardians released a statement acknowledging the law enforcement action and stated their commitment to cooperating fully with ongoing investigations.
Attorneys for both pitchers have not publicly commented since the indictments were announced.
