Guardians Pitchers Fight Pitch-Rigging Charges as Spring Training Begins

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz plead not guilty to colluding with sports bettors to rig in-game prop bets

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have pleaded not guilty to federal charges of colluding with sports bettors to rig in-game prop bets. The pitchers are accused of accepting thousands of dollars in payoffs to help gamblers win over $460,000 by placing bets on the speed and outcome of certain pitches. The trial, originally scheduled for May, will likely be postponed until October.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing concerns around the integrity of professional sports as legalized sports betting continues to expand. The allegations against Clase and Ortiz, if proven true, would represent a serious breach of trust and a betrayal of 'America's pastime.' The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for the Guardians, Major League Baseball, and public confidence in the fairness of the game.

The details

Clase and Ortiz were first charged in November 2025 with wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests. A rewritten indictment released in February 2026 added allegations that Clase used code words like 'rooster' and 'chicken' in communications about pitches to be thrown. Prosecutors say Clase received a message to 'throw a rock at the first rooster in today's fight' before a game, but was unable to fulfill the plan. The indictment also alleges that Clase broke MLB rules by using his cellphone during a game to signal to gamblers that a pitch would be outside the strike zone, enabling them to win about $27,000.

  • The pitchers were first charged in November 2025.
  • The rewritten indictment was released on February 18, 2026.
  • The trial was originally scheduled for May 4, 2026, but will likely be postponed until October.

The players

Emmanuel Clase

A Cleveland Guardians pitcher and former closer who is accused of colluding with sports bettors to rig in-game prop bets. Clase had a $4.5 million salary in 2025 and is alleged to have started providing bettors with information about his pitches in 2023.

Luis Ortiz

A Cleveland Guardians pitcher who is accused of joining Clase's scheme to rig in-game prop bets. Ortiz had a $782,600 salary last season and is alleged to have thrown only two pitches that drew scrutiny over a 12-day span, while Clase is charged with colluding with gamblers on numerous pitches since 2023.

Kiyo A. Matsumoto

The federal judge presiding over the case who indicated the trial will likely be postponed from the original May 4 date to the fall.

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What’s next

The judge will decide in the coming weeks whether to officially postpone the trial from the original May 4 date to the fall.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of corruption in professional sports as legalized sports betting expands. The allegations against Clase and Ortiz, if proven true, would represent a serious breach of trust and a betrayal of the integrity of the game. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for the Guardians, MLB, and public confidence in the fairness of the sport.