MLB Pitchers Charged in Gambling Scandal and Bribery Case

In a scandal that has stunned Major League Baseball, two Cleveland Guardians pitchers—Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera—have been charged for allegedly taking bribes in return for purposefully modulating their pitches during official MLB games. Federal prosecutors and the FBI announced the allegations on Sunday, which connected the two players to a sports betting and money laundering scheme, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal wagers.

According to the indictment, Clase and Ortiz had conspired with others to predetermine the outcome of some plays to allow their co-conspirators and, at times, themselves to fraudulently bet on online sportsbooks. Prosecutors claim that the players would also share inside information and receive kickbacks to rig specific pitches.

Authorities have stated that Ortiz became involved in the scheme around June 2025, while Clase became involved in May 2023. In one of the described scenarios, Ortiz allegedly accepted $7,000 to throw a deliberately rigged pitch before a game on June 27, 2025. Clase was also said to have received $7,000 for pushing the deal along. Prosecutors further allege that prior to the game, Clase withdrew $50,000 in cash and gave $15,000 to a co-conspirator to make a bet.

Federal investigators suggest that Ortiz’s manipulated pitches assisted his co-conspirators in winning at least $60,000, while Clase’s actions led to illegal winnings of about $400,000.

“The greed allegedly exhibited by the defendants not only created an unfair advantage for certain bettors but also tarnished the reputation of America’s pastime,” stated Christopher Raia, Assistant Director of the FBI. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. stated the players “deprived Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services” and “defrauded online betting platforms.”

Both pitchers are up against several federal charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and conspiracy to launder money.

Mr. Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday, and authorities confirmed Mr. Clase is not in U.S. custody at this time. The Cleveland Guardians provided a statement stating that the team is “fully cooperating with law enforcement and MLB” with the ongoing investigation.

Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, defended him, stating to CBS News that Ortiz “is innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw,” and that “he has never, and would never, improperly influence a game—not for anyone and not for anything.”

At the same time, Kelvin Nova, who represents Emmanuel Clase, said previously that his client “does not wager” because the investigation was active before he was charged.

The scandal is among the most serious betting-related scandals in recent MLB history and raises questions regarding the integrity of the sport and the emerging implications of gambling on pro sports.