Guardians Pitchers Plead Not Guilty in Pitch-Rigging Case

Trial for Clase and Ortiz likely postponed until October, judge says

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Emmanuel Ortiz, have pleaded not guilty to a rewritten indictment accusing them of colluding with sports bettors to rig bets and betray 'America's pastime'. A federal judge said the scheduled spring fraud trial will likely be postponed until October.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about the integrity of professional baseball, as players are accused of conspiring to manipulate the outcome of games for financial gain. It could have far-reaching implications for the sport's reputation and public trust.

The details

According to the indictment, Clase and Ortiz are accused of working with sports bettors to rig bets by altering their pitching performances. The alleged scheme involved deliberately throwing certain pitches or allowing runs to be scored in exchange for payments from the bettors.

  • The alleged incidents occurred during the 2025 MLB season.
  • Clase and Ortiz pleaded not guilty to the rewritten indictment on February 19, 2026.
  • The scheduled spring fraud trial will likely be postponed until October 2026, according to the judge.

The players

Emmanuel Clase

A pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians who is accused of colluding with sports bettors to rig bets.

Emmanuel Ortiz

A pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians who is accused of colluding with sports bettors to rig bets.

Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto

The federal judge presiding over the case who said the trial will likely be postponed until October.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on a new trial date in October 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining the integrity of professional sports in the face of potential corruption and the need for robust oversight and enforcement to protect the public's trust in the fairness of athletic competitions.