The world of Major League Baseball was rocked this week as Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz pleaded not guilty to a sweeping set of federal charges in Brooklyn, New York, stemming from an alleged scheme to manipulate game outcomes for the benefit of illegal gamblers. The 26-year-old Ortiz, a starting pitcher with a four-year MLB career, appeared composed yet somber in federal court on November 12, 2025, just days after his arrest at Boston Logan International Airport upon returning from the Dominican Republic.
Ortiz’s court appearance marked a pivotal moment in what prosecutors have called one of the most significant sports betting scandals since the infamous 1919 “Black Sox” World Series fix. The charges, which also implicate Ortiz’s former teammate and three-time All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, allege that the two conspired with bettors to rig pitches—intentionally manipulating pitch speed and location—to ensure that select wagers would pay out. According to the unsealed indictment, Ortiz and Clase stand accused of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. Each faces a potential prison sentence of up to 65 years if convicted on all counts.
Ortiz, dressed in jeans and a black leather jacket, was accompanied by his attorney, a Spanish interpreter, and his wife, who currently serves as his sole suretor on a $500,000 bond. Magistrate Judge Joseph Marutollo ordered Ortiz to return to court on November 19 with an additional suretor and property to further secure his release. The judge cited Ortiz’s substantial financial resources and close ties to the Dominican Republic as factors in imposing strict conditions, including electronic location monitoring, a ban on gambling, and travel restrictions limiting Ortiz to New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Ortiz also surrendered his passport and is prohibited from contacting co-conspirators, victims, or witnesses, as well as from possessing firearms or illegal drugs.
Prosecutors allege that from May 2023 to June 2025, Ortiz and Clase took several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two unnamed gamblers win at least $460,000 by betting on the speed and result of specific pitches. The indictment details how Ortiz was recruited into the scheme by Clase in June 2025, with Clase allegedly directing which pitches Ortiz should manipulate. In one cited instance, Ortiz agreed to throw a ball on his first pitch in the second inning of a June 15 game against the Seattle Mariners for approximately $5,000. Another episode on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals saw Ortiz allegedly agreeing to throw a ball on the first pitch of the third inning for $7,000. Bettors reportedly won at least $60,000 on pitches thrown by Ortiz that month alone.
Meanwhile, Clase—who holds the Guardians’ all-time saves record and finished third in Cy Young Award voting in 2024—is accused of starting the scheme in 2023, first providing inside information to bettors before later accepting payoffs. Prosecutors say that on one occasion, Clase used his phone in the middle of a game to coordinate with a bettor, leading to a successful $11,000 wager on the speed of a particular pitch. According to the indictment, bettors won a staggering $400,000 from wagers on pitches thrown by Clase between 2023 and 2025.
Ortiz’s legal team has denied the charges, with attorney Chris Georgalis stating that payments between Ortiz and individuals in the Dominican Republic were for legal activities. Nonetheless, the government contends that Ortiz received approximately $12,000 for his role in the scheme, in addition to his MLB salary—$782,600 in 2025, with a projected $820,000 for 2026. Both Ortiz and Clase have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July 3, 2025, pending the outcome of the MLB’s ongoing investigation.
The case marks the first time the 'Bribery in Sports Contests' statute, enacted in 1964, has been applied in a professional sports betting scandal in the United States. The law was passed decades after the 1919 scandal that saw members of the Chicago White Sox conspire to throw the World Series. The current case has already drawn comparisons to that dark chapter in baseball history, with Ortiz and Clase’s actions being the first publicly acknowledged outcome-manipulation allegations in MLB in over a century.
Major League Baseball has responded by announcing new limits on betting on individual pitches, a move aimed at curbing the potential for similar schemes in the future. MLB has also reiterated its full cooperation with federal law enforcement, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations and the league’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. In a statement, MLB noted, "We are aware of the indictment and today's arrest, and our investigation is ongoing." Both Ortiz and Clase remain on paid leave, with the league yet to announce any disciplinary measures pending the conclusion of its own inquiry.
The scandal has unfolded against the backdrop of a broader crackdown on illegal sports gambling across American professional sports. Just last month, more than 30 individuals, including NBA head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested in a separate FBI operation involving leaked inside information and rigged poker games. The Ortiz and Clase case, however, stands out for its direct manipulation of on-field play and the application of federal bribery statutes.
Ortiz’s next court date is set for November 19, when he must return with an additional suretor and property to secure his bond. A status conference is scheduled for December 2, where the judge indicated that discovery and potential plea negotiations may be discussed. Clase, who was reportedly out of the country over the weekend, is slated for arraignment on November 13 at the same Brooklyn courthouse. The legal process promises to be lengthy and closely watched, with both players’ futures in professional baseball hanging in the balance.
Ortiz’s MLB record stands at 16-22 with a 4.05 ERA in 75 games—50 as a starter—over four seasons. Once seen as a promising talent on the mound, Ortiz now finds himself at the center of a legal and ethical firestorm that could reshape the conversation around sports betting and athlete conduct for years to come. As the investigation continues and the courts deliberate, fans, players, and league officials alike are left grappling with the implications of a scandal that cuts to the very heart of the national pastime.
With Ortiz and Clase’s cases representing the first application of federal bribery laws in modern MLB, the outcome will likely set a precedent for how baseball and other professional sports handle the growing intersection of gambling and game integrity. For now, the baseball world waits, watching as the legal drama unfolds and the sport’s reputation hangs in the balance.
