By Islam El-Sakka
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn described Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz as “cheaters” during opening statements Wednesday at a criminal fraud trial that has drawn attention to the threat of sports gambling in baseball. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Urquiola told jurors that Clase befriended a gambler in the Dominican Republic in early 2023 and eventually agreed to disclose what types of pitches he would throw in certain games, enabling bettors to win at least $460,000 on platforms that allow wagers on individual pitches.
Prosecution Alleges Pitch-Tipping Scheme
Urquiola said Clase, the team’s former star closer, and Ortiz, a starter, “sold their pitches” and conspired to defraud the sport. Prosecutors allege Clase began providing inside information to bettors in 2023 and recruited Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. Text messages between the pitchers and gamblers, which used code words such as “chicken” and “rooster,” along with testimony from cooperating gamblers, will form the core of the government’s case. Both pitchers have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges and have been on non-disciplinary leave without pay since their arrest in November 2025.
Defense Counters With Claims of Fabrication
Defense attorneys argued that their clients are innocent and that the gambler, Enoc Pena, fabricated the allegations to profit from selling false tips. Michael Bronson, representing Clase, said Pena made more than 7,000 bets from 2023 to 2025 and actually lost over 200 wagers on Clase’s pitches, proving he had no reliable inside information. Bronson portrayed Clase as a superstar who would not risk a $20 million contract and a lifelong dream for a few thousand dollars. Samuel Landes, Ortiz’s lawyer, told jurors his client had no contact with gamblers and that only two pitches — both balls — are at issue in the trial. “That’s not a conspiracy. That’s just baseball,” Landes said.
Background on the Pitchers
Clase, 28, is a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year who had completed the fourth season of a five-year, $20 million contract when charges were made public. Ortiz, 27, earned $782,600 as a starting pitcher for the Guardians during the 2025 season. Prosecutors said Clase sought kickbacks after seeing gamblers profit from his pitches, while the defense emphasized that Pena has struck a deal with prosecutors to avoid prison and will not testify at trial.
