Major League Baseball is once again in the glare of controversy, as the league grapples with an expanding gambling scandal that has ensnared Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and his teammate Luis Ortiz. What began as a seemingly minor infraction—impermissible cell phone use during games—has erupted into a federal case that threatens to shake the very foundations of the sport. With over $400,000 allegedly generated through illicit betting schemes, the story of Clase and Ortiz is not just about two players, but about the evolving relationship between professional sports and gambling in the United States.
The scandal first broke into public view in November 2025, when Emmanuel Clase was indicted by federal prosecutors in connection with a wide-ranging MLB betting investigation. Shortly thereafter, Clase was arrested at JFK Airport, a dramatic turn that signaled the seriousness of the charges facing the Guardians' star pitcher. According to federal indictments and reporting from The Athletic, both Clase and Ortiz are accused of conspiring with gamblers to intentionally fix pitches during games, a scheme that authorities say reaped more than $400,000 in illicit winnings.
But the roots of the controversy stretch back further. Before any whispers of gambling had surfaced, Clase found himself in hot water with league officials for a different reason: using his personal cell phone during games. MLB rules strictly limit when players can access mobile devices, a policy designed to preserve the integrity of the game and prevent the dissemination of inside information. As prosecutors made clear in court filings, "With limited exceptions for personal use ... MLB rules also prohibited MLB players from utilizing cellular telephones during MLB games."
"The Athletic has learned that MLB reprimanded Clase for impermissible cell phone use at least once before knowledge of the gambling issues came to light, according to two people briefed on his situation who were not authorized to speak publicly on the subject." This early disciplinary action, initially viewed as minor, has since taken on far greater significance as investigators allege that Clase used his access to provide non-public information to gamblers as early as 2023.
The federal case against Clase and Ortiz centers on charges of wire fraud and bribery. Investigators claim that Clase not only supplied confidential information but also provided money to bettors, facilitating a scheme that manipulated the outcomes of games for financial gain. Luis Ortiz, another pitcher for the Guardians, is alleged to have joined the operation in 2025, further expanding the scope of the conspiracy. Both players have pleaded not guilty, and their legal teams assert that the accusations remain unproven.
MLB, for its part, has declined to comment in detail, citing the ongoing legal process. However, league officials have affirmed their cooperation with federal authorities, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. The league's operations manual has long included strict prohibitions against gambling and unauthorized device use, but the rise of legal sports betting across the United States has created new challenges and temptations for players and staff.
The timing of the Clase and Ortiz scandal could hardly be more fraught. The year 2025 has already been marked by a surge in gambling-related controversies across professional sports. Earlier this year, the FBI confirmed an investigation into illegal betting activities connected to NBA games, a probe that led to the indictment of high-profile figures such as former NBA star Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. As ESPN and Reuters reported, these cases have heightened scrutiny on the influence of gambling within the highest levels of American athletics.
For baseball, the current crisis evokes painful memories of past scandals. The 1919 Black Sox Scandal remains one of the most infamous episodes in sports history, with eight Chicago White Sox players accused of conspiring to throw the World Series in exchange for bribes. That event led to sweeping changes in league governance and the appointment of the first Commissioner of Baseball. Decades later, in 1989, Pete Rose—one of the game's greatest hitters—received a lifetime ban after evidence emerged that he had bet on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Rose's banishment remains a cautionary tale, underscoring the sport's zero-tolerance policy toward gambling by those directly involved in competition.
What sets the 2025 scandal apart is its context. The rapid expansion of legal sports betting across the U.S. has transformed the landscape, making it easier than ever for players, staff, and fans to place wagers on games. While this has brought new revenue streams and fan engagement, it has also increased the risk of corruption and the perception of compromised integrity. In response, MLB and other leagues have doubled down on education, compliance, and enforcement, but the allegations against Clase and Ortiz highlight just how difficult it is to police every corner of the game.
According to investigators, Clase's involvement with bettors began as early as 2023, well before Ortiz joined the alleged operation in 2025. The scheme reportedly involved both the sharing of inside information and the intentional manipulation of pitches during games. Prosecutors allege that these actions allowed certain gamblers to profit handsomely, with winnings exceeding $400,000. The case against the two pitchers is part of a broader reckoning in professional sports, as leagues confront the realities of legalized betting and the ever-present threat of scandal.
Both Clase and Ortiz continue to maintain their innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. Their legal teams have pushed back against what they describe as unproven allegations, and the case is likely to play out over many months in federal court. In the meantime, MLB has reiterated its commitment to working with authorities and enforcing its rules to the fullest extent possible.
The Guardians organization has so far declined to comment publicly on the specifics of the case, instead referring all questions to league officials and federal investigators. Fans in Cleveland and across the country are left to wonder how deep the scandal might go, and what impact it could have on the future of the sport. With the postseason looming and the spotlight firmly fixed on baseball's integrity, the stakes have rarely been higher.
As 2025 draws to a close, the saga of Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing professional sports in the age of legalized gambling. While the outcome of the case remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the battle to protect the integrity of the game is far from over, and the eyes of the sports world will be watching every twist and turn as the story unfolds.
