Emmanuel Clase’s Alleged Betting Scandal Deepens: 48 Games Now Under Scrutiny
What started as a troubling story for the Guardians has now escalated into something much bigger - and potentially darker - for reliever Emmanuel Clase. According to newly filed court documents, the scope of Clase’s alleged involvement in a pitch-rigging scheme is far more extensive than initially believed.
Federal prosecutors now allege that Clase manipulated pitches in at least 48 games over the past two-plus seasons. That’s a significant jump from what had previously been reported, and if true, it means nearly half of his appearances from 2023 through mid-2025 may have been compromised.
The new allegations surfaced in a court filing from the attorney representing Luis Ortiz, another Guardians pitcher who’s also been implicated in the same investigation. Ortiz’s legal team is pushing for his case to be tried separately, arguing that the accusations against Clase are far more serious - and widespread.
Here’s the key distinction: Ortiz is accused of altering pitches in just two games last season. Clase, on the other hand, is alleged to have been involved in this scheme going back to 2023, with a pattern of behavior that includes using his phone during games and communicating with bettors - both major violations of MLB rules and federal law.
The specific nature of Clase’s alleged pitch manipulation is also coming into focus. Prosecutors believe he was primarily altering first pitches of at-bats, often spiking them into the dirt - a subtle but deliberate way to influence betting outcomes without drastically impacting his overall stat line.
And that’s what makes this situation so complex. Despite the allegations, Clase’s numbers during that time were elite: a 2.22 ERA and 115 saves over 197 regular-season appearances.
On paper, he remained one of the most dominant closers in baseball. But if these accusations hold up, those numbers may come with an asterisk - not because of performance-enhancing drugs or injury, but because of intentional manipulation.
The fallout in Cleveland has already begun. Clase is technically still under contract, but the Guardians have made it clear they’re moving forward without him.
President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti has said the team is operating as if neither Clase nor Ortiz will be on the roster in 2026. The clubhouse, for its part, has reportedly distanced itself from Clase since he was placed on paid leave.
And while the Guardians’ bullpen managed to stabilize in his absence, the long-term implications are still unfolding. The front office lost the chance to trade Clase at peak value, and now they’re stuck navigating the financial and roster complications of a player whose future in the league is all but gone.
This latest development only deepens the cloud hanging over the franchise. Regardless of how Clase’s legal proceedings play out, the damage to his reputation - and the organization’s - has already been done. For a team that prides itself on player development and clubhouse culture, this scandal is a gut punch.
The Guardians now face the challenge of rebuilding trust both internally and externally. And as for Clase, even if the legal system hasn’t had its final say yet, it’s becoming increasingly clear: he may have already thrown his last pitch in Major League Baseball.