Two MLB Players Added To DOJ Gambling Scandal

Cleveland Guardians pitchers added to FBI's gambling probe

Per ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan: "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." Adding, "Ortiz was arrested in Boston earlier today. Clase is not currently in custody."

Clase is a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year — posting 133 total saves from 2022-2024 with a third-place finish in Cy Young voting a year ago. However, his numbers took a noticeable dip in '25 before being placed under investigation in late July.

Meanwhile Ortiz, who just joined the Guardians this past season, appeared in 16 games for the AL Central division winners and posted a 4.36 ERA across 47.1 innings.

Clase and Ortiz facing up to 65 years in prison

According to prosecutors, the two Guardians players could face up to 20 years for wire fraud, 20 years for honest services conspiracy, 20 years for money laundering and five years for conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery.

"The defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services," attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. alleged. "They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America's pastime. Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us."

Obviously, this would be a worst-case scenario for all involved and could really be a blemish on a game that's made so much headway in entertainment value and relevance over the past few years.

Ortiz's legal team has denied all charges, while Clase's defense has yet to make a public statement on his behalf in light of this most recent news.