Major League Baseball is the latest sport to have a gambling scandal.
On Nov. 9, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted by prosecutors for their roles in an illegal pitch-rigging scheme. Both Clase and Ortiz had been on paid leave from the Guardians since the summer as they were investigated.
The situation is ongoing, but Clase and Ortiz will now be up against the legal process. Here is the latest on MLB’s gambling scandal.
MORE: Biggest gambling scandals in sports history
MLB gambling scandal arrest updates
Emmanuel Clase
On Nov. 9, Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase was indicted by federal prosecutors for his role in an illegal pitch-rigging scheme. At the time of Jeff Passan’s initial report, Clase was not in custody. Clase has been on MLB’s non-disciplinary paid leave list since July 28, and hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since.
According to Passan, the indictment claims that Clase has been a part of this scheme since May of 2023, which involved him throwing intentional balls to win wagers. Additionally, Clase is also accused of facilitating part of the scheme.
Luis Ortiz
Federal prosecutors arrested Luis Ortiz in Boston on Sunday morning for his role in the illegal pitch-rigging scheme. Ortiz was first put on MLB’s non-disciplinary paid leave list in early July, as he was investigated before Clase.
BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted by prosecutors in Brooklyn on a host of charges related to a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. Ortiz was arrested in Boston earlier today. Clase is not currently in custody.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 9, 2025
Both Ortiz and Clase are facing up to 65 years in prison.
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to the Eastern District of New York, which outlined the case against Clase and Ortiz after indicting them on fraud, conspiracy and bribery charges. pic.twitter.com/9UjlZ2Iw7m
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 9, 2025
Emmanuel Clase-Luis Ortiz pitching scandal
What did Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz do?
A federal indictment argues that Clase and Ortiz were part of a scheme that rigged pitches in MLB games to win wagers. The pitchers would throw balls intentionally, allowing those to correctly bet on whether a pitch would be a ball or a strike.
According to Jeff Passan, Ortiz was paid $5,000 for throwing a ball in a June 15 game, while Clase was paid $5,000 for facilitating the scheme. Those two were then paid $7,000 for a similar situation on June 27.
Prosecutors allege that Luis Ortiz was paid $5,000 for throwing an intentional ball June 15 and Emmanuel Clase given $5,000 for facilitating it. They did it again, according to the indictment, June 27. The payment for each on that pitch was $7,000 apiece.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 9, 2025
Did Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz bet on MLB games?
According to the initial indictment, Clase and Ortiz didn’t bet on games themselves, but they were paid to rig micro-bets within games. The pitchers would throw intentional balls that allowed others to successfully bet on whether a pitch would be a ball or a strike.
Has MLB banished Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz?
MLB put both Clase and Ortiz on non-disciplinary paid leave as they were being investigated for their roles in the schemes.
“MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process,” MLB said in a statement. “We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”
Emmanuael Clase net worth
Clase is currently playing on a five-year, $20 million with the Guardians that includes two club options through 2028. According to Spotrac, he has made over $15 million in his career.
Luis Ortiz net worth
Ortiz has made just over $2 million in his career, according to Spotrac. He has only played in MLB since 2024 and has just over two years of MLB service time.