Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase accused of rigging pitches in 48 video games, way over initially disclosed

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Federal prosecutors say Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase threw rigged pitches in 48 video games over the course of 26 months, in line with court docket paperwork filed Thursday in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

The 48 video games far exceed the 9 video games initially indicated when the indictment was unsealed in November.

ESPN experiences that attorneys for Luis Ortiz, Clase’s teammate and co-defendant, requested that their consumer’s case be severed from Clase’s, arguing that the 2 gamers have vastly completely different ranges of culpability.

Federal prosecutors indicted Ortiz in November for throwing rigged pitches throughout two video games in June. Clase’s interactions with bettors, they stated, date again to 2023.

Ortiz’s authorized workforce argues that the indictment comprises no proof that their consumer communicated instantly with bettors, in line with Thursday’s submitting. They stated a jury offered with proof of Clase’s sample of habits may solely discover Ortiz responsible by affiliation.

Major League Baseball stated it’s cooperating with the suitable authorities as its investigation stays open.

Both gamers pleaded not responsible to fees of wire fraud conspiracy, sincere companies wire fraud conspiracy, cash laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to affect sporting occasions by bribery.

According to prosecutors, the 2 accepted 1000’s of {dollars} in bribes to assist two unnamed gamblers of their native Dominican Republic win a minimum of $460,000 on bets positioned on the pace and end result of their pitches.

Ortiz was placed on paid administrative depart in July pending MLB’s investigation. Clase was additionally positioned on depart later that month. Both withstand 65 years in jail, in line with fees revealed in November. A trial is scheduled for May 4.

Both gamers face important penalties from MLB past their felony prosecution, as much as and together with potential lifetime bans.

Clase, a three-time All-Star, is Cleveland’s all-time saves chief with 181.

Ortiz, acquired from Pittsburgh earlier than the 2025 season, appeared in 16 video games for the Guardians and went 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA in 88 2/3 innings.