NEW YORK (AP) – Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians, have been indicted on charges of taking bribes from sports bettors in a scheme to manipulate outcomes during games. The indictments reveal that the duo intentionally threw specific pitches to benefit gamblers, primarily from the Dominican Republic, resulting in at least $460,000 in winnings.

The prosecutors have identified multiple instances where Clase and Ortiz adjusted their pitching to align with predetermined bets. This included throwing pitches outside of the strike zone or at controlled velocity ranges. Here’s a detailed breakdown of key instances cited in the indictment.

Emmanuel Clase

On May 19, 2023, the indictment references an outing in which a bet of approximately $27,000 was placed on Clase throwing a pitch exceeding 94.95 mph. He began the inning with a 98.5 mph cutter that was low and inside, resulting in a fly out by the New York Mets’ Starling Marte. Despite the pitch's initial speed, the Mets ultimately won 10-9, marking a loss for Clase.

On June 3, 2023, a gambling bet of about $38,000 was noted, predicated on Clase throwing a ball or hit-by-pitch at a velocity slower than 94.95 mph. In this game against the Minnesota Twins, Clase delivered an 89.4 mph slider that bounced in front of home plate, hitting catcher Mike Zunino on the shoulder. Following this incident, Jeffers struck out, allowing Clase to secure a save in a 4-2 victory.

A similar situation arose on June 7, 2023, where another bet of $58,000 also stipulated a ball or hit-by-pitch at a velocity slower than 94.95 mph. Clase's 91.4 mph slider to Boston's Jarren Duran was caught just above the dirt, allowing Duran to walk. Despite the circumstances, Clase managed to earn a save in a 5-3 win.

Additional instances include an outing on April 12, 2025, where Clase threw an 89.4 mph slider to Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. leading to a single later in the inning during a 6-3 win, and another on May 11, 2025, with a 99.1 mph cutter to Philadelphia's Max Kepler resulting in an out but contributing to a 3-0 loss.

On May 13, 2025, Clase pitched an 89.1 mph slider, resulting in a strikeout, while later bouts highlight instances of intentional bets for pitches categorized as balls or hit-by-pitch that occurred at velocities below certain thresholds.

Luis Ortiz

For Luis Ortiz, one pivotal moment identified occurred on June 15, 2025, where a bet of around $13,000 was placed on a pitch being a ball. An 86.7 mph slider to Seattle's Randy Arozarena bounced in front of the plate, ultimately leading to Arozarena walking and scoring in a losing effort against the Mariners, who won 6-0.

Another prominent instance was on June 27, 2025, during a game where an 86.7 mph slider resulted in a bounce that allowed St. Louis’ Pedro Pagés to hit a home run just two pitches later, contributing to a 5-0 loss for Ortiz’s team.

The indictment’s detailed examination of the games and pitches illustrates a troubling scheme, highlighting the risks associated with sports betting and its potential to corrupt athletic performances. As the legal process unfolds, the implications for both players and the broader sports community will be closely monitored.