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MLB pitch-fixing federal trial

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2026-11-04 09:57 UTC → 2026-11-05 09:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.~~ 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 ~~is accused of initiating the scheme in 2023~~ and ~~recruiting~~ Ortiz ~~in 2025. Both players~~ 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, which includes testimony from various baseball executives, coaches, and catchers,~~ trial is expected to last approximately one month.

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