CLEVELAND, Ohio — Federal prosecutors say Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase threw rigged pitches in 48 games over the course of 26 months, according to court documents filed Thursday in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
The 48 games far exceed the nine games initially indicated when the indictment was unsealed in November.
ESPN reports that attorneys for Luis Ortiz, Clase’s teammate and co-defendant, asked that their client’s case be severed from Clase’s, arguing that the two players have vastly different levels of culpability.
Federal prosecutors indicted Ortiz in November for throwing rigged pitches during two games in June. Clase’s interactions with bettors, they said, date back to 2023.
Ortiz’s legal team argues that the indictment contains no evidence that their client communicated directly with bettors, according to Thursday’s filing. They said a jury presented with evidence of Clase’s pattern of behavior could only find Ortiz guilty by association.
Major League Baseball said it is cooperating with the appropriate authorities as its investigation remains open.
Both players pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery.
According to prosecutors, the two accepted thousands of dollars in bribes to help two unnamed gamblers in their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 on bets placed on the speed and outcome of their pitches.
Ortiz was put on paid administrative leave in July pending MLB’s investigation. Clase was also placed on leave later that month. Both face up to 65 years in prison, according to charges revealed in November. A trial is scheduled for May 4.
Both players face significant penalties from MLB beyond their criminal prosecution, up to and including potential lifetime bans.
Clase, a three-time All-Star, is Cleveland’s all-time saves leader with 181. Ortiz, acquired from Pittsburgh before the 2025 season, appeared in 16 games for the Guardians and went 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA in 88 2/3 innings.