Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face serious legal trouble after being indicted for their involvement in a gambling scheme. This scheme allegedly involved rigging bets on pitches during Major League Baseball (MLB) games, according to a report by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Indictment Details
The indictment consists of 23 pages that outline how Clase and Ortiz reportedly conspired to manipulate the outcome of pitches. This allowed bettors to wager on whether pitches would be called balls or strikes. The investigation suggests that the scheme began as early as May 2023.
Key Events
- Indictment issued by U.S. prosecutors against Clase and Ortiz.
- Ortiz was arrested in Boston on a Sunday.
- Both pitchers were placed on paid leave by the MLB in August.
- Neither pitcher participated in the remainder of the season.
MLB and Federal Involvement
The MLB took the situation seriously from the start. The league contacted federal authorities as soon as the gambling scheme was uncovered and has fully cooperated with the investigation.
Current Status
Following the indictment and Ortiz’s arrest, the MLB stated that its investigation is still ongoing. As developments unfold, more information will be provided regarding this significant legal case.
