Guardians Pitchers Fight Pitch-Rigging Charges as Spring Training Begins

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz plead not guilty to federal fraud charges, as trial date likely postponed to fall

Published on Feb. 23, 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 trial, originally scheduled for May, will likely be postponed to the fall as prosecutors added a third defendant to the case. The pitchers are accused of accepting thousands of dollars to help bettors win over $460,000 through rigged pitches, with Clase allegedly using code words like "rooster" and "chicken" to signal when he would throw outside the strike zone.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about the integrity of Major League Baseball, as two prominent players stand accused of betraying the sport by conspiring with gamblers. It comes as sports betting continues to grow in popularity and leagues grapple with maintaining the public's trust in the fairness of games.

The details

Clase, the Guardians' former closer, and Ortiz, a starter, have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July 2025. Prosecutors allege Clase started providing bettors with information about his pitches in 2023, while Ortiz joined the scheme last June. The rewritten indictment added allegations that Clase used code words to signal when he would throw outside the strike zone. Prior to a 2025 game, Clase allegedly received a message to "throw a rock at the first rooster" but could not fulfill the plan.

  • The pitchers were first charged in November 2025.
  • The rewritten indictment was unsealed on Friday, February 14, 2026.
  • The pitchers pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The original May 4 trial date will likely be postponed to the fall in the coming weeks.
  • The Guardians' home opener is scheduled for April 3, 2026.

The players

Emmanuel Clase

A three-time All-Star pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, who is accused of accepting thousands of dollars to help bettors win over $460,000 through rigged in-game prop bets.

Luis Ortiz

A starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, who is accused of joining Clase's scheme to rig bets with sports gamblers last June.

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.

The Cleveland Guardians

The MLB team that Clase and Ortiz play for, who have said they are cooperating with the investigation.

Major League Baseball

The professional baseball league that has said it contacted federal law enforcement when it began investigating unusual betting activity related to this case.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage the integrity of America's pastime.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing challenges facing professional sports leagues in maintaining public trust as sports betting continues to expand. It underscores the need for robust integrity measures and player education to prevent future incidents that could undermine the credibility of the game.