Details of the Alleged Plot
Prosecutors say Clase, Cleveland’s primary closer since 2021, first conspired with gamblers to manipulate wagers on pitches during the 2023 season. The indictment cites several games, including one against the New York Mets, in which Clase allegedly delivered intentionally errant first pitches—often in the dirt or well outside the strike zone—to satisfy prearranged betting conditions tied to pitch speed or result.
Ortiz, a right-handed reliever acquired by Cleveland before the 2024 season, is accused of joining the scheme later that year. The indictment focuses on two pitches Ortiz threw but states that the broader conspiracy continued into 2025, with both pitchers allegedly coordinating with bettors before selected appearances.
According to the filing, the players met or communicated electronically with the bettors to confirm the exact pitch that would open a given at-bat, then executed that pitch as promised. The bettors used multiple online sportsbooks and offshore platforms to place wagers that would pay off if the pitch matched the agreed-upon criteria.
League and Club Response
Major League Baseball placed both pitchers on administrative leave in July while it conducted a parallel investigation. In a statement issued Sunday, the league said it had notified federal law-enforcement officials at the outset of its inquiry and “fully cooperated throughout the process.” The MLB Players Association declined to comment on the indictment.
The Cleveland Guardians said they are “aware of the recent law-enforcement action” and will continue working with MLB and investigators. The club did not discuss the players’ roster status beyond noting that both remain on leave.
Defense and Legal Process
Chris Georgalis, an attorney representing Ortiz, said in a written statement that his client “is innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw” and that prosecutors lack credible evidence of wrongdoing. Georgalis added that Ortiz intends to “fight these charges in court.” No lawyer for Clase was listed in the court docket as of Sunday afternoon.
Imagem: Internet
The case will be heard in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Arraignment dates had not been released by early evening. Fraud, conspiracy and bribery are classified as felonies under federal law, and sentencing guidelines could include significant prison time and financial penalties if the defendants are found guilty.
Wider Gambling Scrutiny in Sports
The indictment arrives amid heightened scrutiny of sports wagering across professional and collegiate athletics. Last month, federal prosecutors charged several individuals, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, in a separate case alleging the use of confidential player information to win bets. The National Football League, National Basketball Association and other leagues have also disciplined players for gambling violations over the past two years.
U.S. sports betting has expanded rapidly since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowed states to legalize the activity. The U.S. Department of Justice has emphasized that insider schemes threatening the integrity of games remain a federal priority, often charging defendants under statutes originally enacted to combat match fixing and organized crime.
MLB’s gambling policy prohibits players from wagering on baseball and from providing non-public information to gamblers. Violations may result in fines, suspensions or permanent bans, separate from any criminal penalties. League investigators are continuing to examine whether additional players, staff members or bettors were involved in the Guardians case, according to the statement issued Sunday.
The indictment marks one of the most significant gambling-related scandals to involve active MLB players since the legalization wave began. Further court filings are expected to reveal additional details about the communication methods used, the identity of the bettors and the financial flows that allegedly moved between the conspirators and the two pitchers.
Crédito da imagem: AP Photo
