Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, **Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz** and **Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera**, have been charged in a federal case accusing them of accepting bribes to rig pitches during Major League Baseball games. Prosecutors and the FBI allege the two were involved in a sports betting and money laundering scheme that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal wagers.
According to the indictment, Clase allegedly joined the scheme in **May 2023**, and Ortiz in **June 2025**. Investigators claim the players coordinated with co-conspirators to provide inside information and intentionally manipulate specific pitches. In one example, before a **June 27, 2025** game, Ortiz was allegedly paid **$7,000** to throw a rigged pitch, while Clase received the same amount for helping arrange it. Prosecutors also say Clase withdrew **$50,000 in cash** and gave **$15,000** to a co-conspirator who used it to place bets.
Authorities allege Ortiz’s actions earned co-conspirators about **$60,000**, while Clase’s involvement led to at least **$400,000** in winnings. Both players are accused of defrauding MLB, the Guardians, and online sportsbooks. “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it dishonors the game and erodes public trust,” U.S. Attorney **Joseph Nocella Jr.** said in a statement.
Ortiz was arrested in **Boston** on Sunday, while Clase remains outside U.S. custody. Both had previously been placed on paid leave during an MLB gambling investigation. They now face multiple charges, including **wire fraud conspiracy**, **honest services fraud**, **bribery conspiracy**, and **money laundering conspiracy**.
The Guardians said they are fully cooperating with investigators. Ortiz’s lawyer, **Chris Georgalis**, maintains his client’s innocence, saying he “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game.” Clase’s representative also insists the pitcher does not gamble.
The charges come shortly after the FBI announced several arrests in similar sports betting and laundering cases involving professional athletes and organized crime figures.
00:00The scheme outlined in the 23-page indictment lays out the process in which Classé, Ortiz, and two bettors labeled as Better 1 and Better 2
00:08wagered thousands of dollars on prop bets as the result of specific pitches and the speed of pitches thrown by the Guardians pitchers.
00:16Starting as far back as May 2023, Classé worked with Better 1 and Better 2 to wager on the outcome of his pitches and pitch speeds, usually the first of an at-bat.
00:26Classé would text or call Better 1 during games to let them know when to place the wagers, and on some occasions, he would even provide money for Better 1 to wager on his behalf the outcome of his own pitches.
00:40One example highlighted in the document, on May 17th of this season, the Guardians were facing the Cincinnati Reds.
00:46First pitch was at 6.40 p.m.
00:48At 8.24 p.m., Classé sent a text asking if Better 1 was, quote, ready.
00:53Better 1 responded, quote, but of course.
00:56Approximately 10 minutes later, Better 1 and 2 placed multiple wagers that a pitch by Classé would be a ball and be slower than 97.95 miles an hour.
01:07Classé entered the game in the bottom of the eighth, facing Reds infielder Santiago Espinal.
01:13First pitch was a slider, 87 miles an hour, and went into the dirt for ball one.
01:18That pitch won the two bettors approximately $10,000.
01:21It was Classé who brought Ortiz into the scheme in and around June of this past season, and received money for coordinating between Ortiz and the betters.
01:31On June 15th, the Guardians were facing the Seattle Mariners.
01:34Ortiz was the starting pitcher.
01:36Before the game, Ortiz and Classé had agreed, in exchange for approximately $5,000, Ortiz would throw a ball for his first pitch in the second inning.
01:44When Ortiz took the mound in the second frame, he threw an 86-mile-an-hour slider to Randy Orozarena that hit the dirt.
01:52Classé was also paid $5,000 for coordinating.
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