Two former Guardians pitchers start fraud trial in Brooklyn

The jury trial for two former Cleveland Guardians pitchers began Monday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

Three key points define the proceeding. First, prosecutors allege Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz accepted bribes to help two Dominican gamblers win at least $460,000 on in-game prop bets. Second, the players have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges and remain on nondisciplinary leave from the Guardians without pay. Third, Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto ruled Friday that prosecutors cannot show the jury proof that Clase owed $500,000 in U.S. taxes because the evidence was delivered late.

Context shows how the scheme allegedly worked. The indictment states Clase began providing pitch information to the bettors in 2023 and recruited Ortiz in 2025. The gamblers placed wagers on the speed and outcome of specific pitches. Defense lawyers argue the pitchers were simply varying pitch placement strategically to fool batters, not colluding with bettors.

Clase, 28, was a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year. He had completed his fourth season of a $20 million, five-year contract when the charges surfaced in November 2025. Ortiz, 27, earned $782,600 as a starting pitcher for the Guardians during the 2025 season. The pitchers face four counts: wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery.

Lawyers for Ortiz tried to have him tried separately from Clase but were unsuccessful. The trial is expected to last about a month. Several professional baseball players, including catchers and executives, are expected to testify. Major League Baseball and the Guardians said they have fully cooperated with authorities. MLB stated it contacted federal law enforcement after investigating unusual betting activity.

Prosecutors originally wanted to present the tax debt evidence to counter claims that Clase had no financial incentive to cheat because he held millions of dollars in accounts in the Dominican Republic. The judge excluded the evidence after determining it missed the disclosure deadline.