Emmanuel Clase Accused of Rigging 48 Games; Federal Case Expands Scope of Allegations Against Guardians Pitcher
CLEVELAND - The legal storm surrounding Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase just got a lot more intense.
According to newly filed court documents in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, federal prosecutors now say Clase threw rigged pitches in 48 games over a 26-month span - a staggering increase from the nine games initially cited when the indictment was first unsealed in November.
The expanded allegations paint a far broader picture of Clase’s alleged involvement in a scheme that federal investigators say was designed to manipulate the outcomes of specific in-game events - namely, pitch speed and results - to benefit two unnamed bettors in the Dominican Republic. Prosecutors claim those bettors walked away with at least $460,000 in winnings, thanks in part to bribes paid to Clase and fellow Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz.
The legal teams for both players are now moving in different directions. Ortiz’s attorneys have formally requested that his case be severed from Clase’s, arguing that the two pitchers are not equally culpable. Ortiz, who was indicted in November for allegedly rigging pitches during just two games in June, is being positioned by his defense as a minor figure in comparison to Clase, whose alleged misconduct dates back to 2023.
Ortiz’s lawyers also emphasized that the indictment includes no evidence of their client directly communicating with gamblers. They argue that combining his case with Clase’s could unfairly influence a jury by association, especially given the weight of the accusations against Clase.
Both players have pleaded not guilty to a slate of serious federal charges: wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting events through bribery. If convicted, they each face up to 65 years in prison.
Major League Baseball, for its part, continues to cooperate with federal authorities and has kept its own investigation open. Both Clase and Ortiz were placed on paid administrative leave in July 2025, shortly after the allegations first surfaced.
The league has not yet issued disciplinary rulings, but the stakes are high. Depending on the findings, both players could be subject to significant penalties - including potential lifetime bans from Major League Baseball.
Clase’s résumé makes this case all the more jarring. A three-time All-Star and Cleveland’s all-time saves leader with 181, he’s been one of the most dominant relievers in the game over the past few seasons. His electric stuff and late-inning poise made him a cornerstone of the Guardians’ bullpen.
Ortiz, meanwhile, was acquired from the Pirates prior to the 2025 season. He made 16 appearances for Cleveland, finishing with a 4-9 record and a 4.36 ERA over 88 2/3 innings. While not as high-profile as Clase, Ortiz was seen as a developing arm with potential upside.
The trial is currently scheduled to begin on May 4. Between now and then, expect more legal maneuvering, more revelations, and a growing cloud over a Guardians team that suddenly finds itself at the center of one of the most serious scandals in recent baseball memory.
For now, the focus shifts to the courtroom - and the future of two pitchers whose careers, and freedom, hang in the balance.