Guardians' Emmanuel Clase Granted Permission to Train in Arizona Amid Ongoing Gambling Scandal
The Cleveland Guardians are preparing for a new season without one of their most dominant arms, as Emmanuel Clase remains sidelined amid a major sports gambling investigation. The All-Star closer, once considered one of the most electric relievers in baseball, continues to face serious legal trouble that could permanently derail his big league career.
Clase, who has been charged in connection with a wide-ranging prop-bet scandal, is currently barred from participating in spring training with the Guardians. But in a recent legal development, he has been granted permission to travel to Arizona - a move that keeps the door, however slightly, cracked open for a potential return to the game.
According to court documents, a judge approved Clase’s request to temporarily relocate to Arizona for “work-related reasons.” The letter submitted on his behalf cited the need to live near his agent and access high-level training facilities and personnel - a necessity for any professional athlete hoping to compete at the highest level.
It’s worth noting that the Guardians hold their spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. Still, this legal green light doesn’t change Clase’s current standing with the team or Major League Baseball. He remains ineligible to participate in team activities, and his future in the sport is clouded by the severity of the allegations against him.
The details of the case paint a troubling picture. Investigators allege that Clase’s involvement in the betting scheme was far more extensive than originally believed. Reports now indicate he may have thrown up to 250 questionable pitches across nearly 50 games between 2023 and 2025 - a staggering number that raises serious questions about the integrity of those contests and the scope of the operation.
Even if Clase is eventually cleared of criminal charges - a process that could take months, if not years - MLB retains the authority to impose its own punishment. The league’s gambling policy is clear: involvement in betting on baseball, particularly in ways that compromise game outcomes, can result in a lifetime ban. That’s a hammer MLB has shown it’s willing to swing when the integrity of the game is on the line.
Clase, now 27, was once viewed as a cornerstone of the Guardians’ bullpen. His resume includes three All-Star nods and two Reliever of the Year awards - achievements that speak to just how dominant he was at his peak. Armed with a high-octane cutter and elite command, he routinely shut down the league’s best hitters in high-leverage situations.
Now, all of that is in jeopardy.
There’s no telling what kind of shape Clase will be in if he ever gets the chance to pitch again. Beyond the legal hurdles, there’s the matter of rust, reputation, and whether any team would be willing to take on the risk of signing him. For now, his focus appears to be on maintaining his physical readiness - a necessary step, but far from a guarantee of redemption.
If this is indeed the end of Clase’s MLB career, it’s a stunning fall for a player who once looked like the long-term answer in the ninth inning for Cleveland. From All-Star accolades to courtroom appearances, his story has taken a dramatic and sobering turn - one that serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a career can unravel when the line between competition and corruption is crossed.