Sports

Guardians Pitchers Face Trial Over Alleged Spot‑Fixing Scheme

By AP

Former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are set to go on trial in Brooklyn federal court on Monday. They face conspiracy charges for allegedly accepting bribes from two gamblers who bet on the speed and outcome of individual pitches, earning at least $460,000 in the process. The indictment says Clase began providing information in 2023 and recruited Ortiz in 2025. Both pitchers have pleaded not guilty and are on non‑disciplinary leave without pay. They are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. Witnesses expected to testify include professional baseball players, catchers and executives. Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto aims to complete jury selection quickly to allow brief opening statements. Clase, 28, is a three‑time All‑Star and two‑time American League Reliever of the Year; Ortiz, 27, earned $782,600 as a starter in 2025. The trial is expected to last about a month. MLB and the Guardians have said they have fully cooperated with authorities, and MLB had contacted federal law enforcement after noticing unusual betting activity. The defense plans to argue that the pitchers did not collude with gamblers but simply varied pitch placement to deceive batters. The judge ruled that prosecutors cannot present evidence that Clase owed $500,000 in U.S. taxes, as the evidence was provided to the defense after the deadline for disclosure. The trial will determine the pitchers’ careers and possibly their freedom.