Jury selection is set to begin on 4 May in the federal trial of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz, who each face a maximum sentence of up to 65 years in prison over their alleged involvement in a complex gambling conspiracy, according to USA Today. US District Court Judge Kiyo Matsumoto said the trial could begin shortly after jury selection. Both players are next due in court on 15 January.
The players have pleaded not guilty to charges including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.
The two pitchers are charged in a 23-page indictment for allegedly conspiring with a group of bookmakers to affect microbet results by purposefully tossing balls in predefined circumstances. The prosecution claims that the plan gave the bettors at least $450,000 in winnings. Clase and Ortiz remain on Major League Baseball’s (MLB) restricted list and might face permanent ineligibility depending on the trial’s outcome.
According to authorities, Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, reportedly began collaborating with bettors in May 2023. Ortiz, who joined Cleveland after being dealt from Pittsburgh in December 2024, allegedly rejoined the scam in June 2025.
Senate pressure intensifies MLB gambling oversight
The case comes as MLB faces heightened political scrutiny over its gambling safeguards. MLB has confirmed it will comply with a US Senate request for documents related to ongoing gambling investigations, following demands for transparency from Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, who chair the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Their 14 November letter questioned how such activity could go undetected and asked MLB to outline its integrity monitoring capabilities. The league has an ongoing internal investigation into the Guardians case.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league will respond “fully and cooperatively” by the committee’s deadline, noting efforts to reduce corruption risks tied to fast-moving bet types.
MLB curbs pitch-level betting after indictments
Days after indictments were unsealed on 9 November, MLB instructed licensed sportsbooks to limit pitch-level bets to $200 and remove microbetting options from parlays.
Manfred described the restrictions as necessary to reduce incentives for manipulation, amid concerns over expanding betting markets across US sports. He did not comment on whether the league would support regulated prediction markets, saying it was “too early” to determine a formal stance.
Internal probe continues with no fixed end date
Ortiz was placed on paid administrative leave on 3 July, followed by Clase on 28 July. Neither is due to resume salary accrual until the 2025 MLB season begins in March. Manfred said the off-season allows time for the “most thorough and complete investigation possible.”
MLB is also supporting players who have reported harassment or intimidation linked to betting outcomes, an issue that has grown since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that allowed widespread legal sports wagering. The league maintains channels with law enforcement to assist players facing threats.
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