# MLB pitch-fixing federal trial > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mlb-pitch-fixing-federal-trial > Updated: 2026-11-04T02:11:49.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 3. The federal trial of former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz commenced on November 1, 2026, in a Brooklyn court. The Dominican players face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to influence sporting competitions through bribery. Prosecutors allege the duo accepted payoffs to manipulate pitch speed and location to benefit gamblers, particularly in the Dominican Republic. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Urquiola told a jury that Clase began providing information about his pitches to bettors in early 2023, eventually recruiting Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. The indictment claims the scheme allowed bettors to win at least $450,000 to $460,000 on in-game prop bets, such as whether a pitch would be a ball or a strike. Specifically, investigators cited 18 pitches thrown by Clase between 2023 and 2025 that were allegedly manipulated. In one instance, bettors reportedly won approximately $27,000 by wagering that a pitch would exceed 94.95 mph. Clase and Ortiz have pleaded not guilty and are currently out on bail. Both players are also on non-disciplinary leave from the Guardians without pay. Defense attorneys are expected to argue that the players were merely using strategic pitch placement to deceive batters rather than colluding with gamblers. If convicted, the players could face up to 65 years in prison. The trial is expected to last approximately one month. ## Claims - Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are facing trial in Brooklyn federal court. (reported by 13 sources) - The pitchers are accused of accepting bribes to manipulate pitches for gamblers. (reported by 13 sources) - Gamblers allegedly won at least $460,000 using information from the pitchers. (reported by 12 sources) - Clase allegedly began providing information to bettors in 2023. (reported by 12 sources) - Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in 2025. (reported by 12 sources) - Clase and Ortiz have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges. (reported by 11 sources) - The players are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and bribery. (reported by 9 sources) - Clase allegedly recruited Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. (reported by 8 sources) - Clase and Ortiz are currently on non-disciplinary leave without pay from the Cleveland Guardians. (reported by 7 sources) - Defense lawyers argue the players were varying pitch placement strategically to fool batters. (reported by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-11-04: Cleveland Guardians pitchers face fraud trial in New York Former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face a federal trial in Brooklyn for allegedly accepting bribes to manipulate pitches for sports gamblers. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-guardians-pitchers-face-federal-trial-for-alleged-pitch-manipulation ### 2026-11-01: Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face trial for alleged pitch-rigging scheme Former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are on trial in Brooklyn for allegedly accepting bribes to manipulate pitches for gamblers, a scheme that reportedly netted bettors over $450,00 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mlb-pitchers-emmanuel-clase-and-luis-ortiz-face-betting-trial ### 2026-10-30: MLB faces potential lockout and federal trial for pitch-fixing MLB faces a federal trial for pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz over alleged pitch-fixing, alongside a looming labor lockout due to disputes over a proposed salary cap. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/major-league-baseball-faces-potential-lockout-following-2026-world-series --- Cite as: MLB pitch-fixing federal trial. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mlb-pitch-fixing-federal-trial