Federal prosecutors have charged two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians in a high-stakes sports betting scandal that officials say undermines the integrity of professional baseball. Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz, 27, and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, 26, are accused of conspiring with others to manipulate their own pitching performances for profit, earning an estimated $450,000 through fraudulent wagers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. called the case a “betrayal of America’s pastime,” emphasizing that honesty and fair play are essential to the game. “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the players involved but erodes public trust in an institution that millions hold dear,” Nocella said.

Both players face several federal charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests through bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.

Alleged Scheme and Evidence

Emmanuel Clase & Luis Ortiz.

The complaint, unsealed Sunday, outlines how Clase allegedly began coordinating with two unnamed bettors in May 2023. The scheme centered around insider knowledge of specific pitches during games, where wagers were placed on metrics like pitch type and speed. Prosecutors claim Clase intentionally threw balls instead of strikes and slowed down his fastballs to influence betting outcomes.

In one instance, wagers on Clase’s May 19, 2023, matchup against the New York Mets reportedly generated about $27,000 in winnings for the co-conspirators. Another game weeks later against the Boston Red Sox brought in approximately $38,000, with bets targeting pitches slower than 94.95 mph. Screenshots included in the complaint show a pitch that landed well before home plate, supporting claims that he deliberately underperformed.

Investigators also allege Clase used his cellphone during games—a violation of MLB policy—to coordinate with the bettors and manage payments sent to the Dominican Republic. By June 2025, Ortiz was allegedly brought into the operation. According to the filing, he agreed to throw certain pitches as balls in exchange for bribes.

In a June 15 game against the Seattle Mariners, Ortiz purportedly received $5,000 to throw a ball rather than a strike, a move that helped the bettors collect a $26,000 payout. Days later, prosecutors say Clase wired 90,000 pesos to an associate in the Dominican Republic, disguising the transfer as payment “for a horse.”

Arrests and Ongoing Investigation

Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday and is expected to appear in federal court, while Clase remains at large. Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, denied the accusations, calling the transfers “lawful activities” unrelated to betting. “Luis has never, and would never, influence a game improperly,” Georgalis said in a statement to The Guardian. “He looks forward to clearing his name and proving his innocence in court.”

The Cleveland Guardians acknowledged they were aware of the federal investigation and said they are cooperating fully with both law enforcement and Major League Baseball. “We remain committed to transparency and will continue to assist in any way necessary,” the organization said.

MLB confirmed it referred the matter to federal authorities early in the investigation and continues to work closely with them. The league has faced increased scrutiny as gambling-related cases emerge across professional sports, echoing previous scandals involving athletes accused of leaking insider information for profit.

This marks the second major betting-related case from Nocella’s office in recent weeks. In October, prosecutors indicted several current and former NBA players, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and ex-Lakers player Damon Jones, over allegations of providing confidential injury information to bettors. Jones pleaded not guilty but remains under federal investigation.

As this case unfolds, questions loom over how deep the gambling influence runs inside professional sports—and what steps leagues will take to protect the integrity of their games.