Cleveland Guardians pitchers charged in game-fixing scheme

Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers are at the center of a bombshell betting scandal shaking Major League Baseball.

(NBC)- Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers are at the center of a bombshell betting scandal shaking Major League Baseball. An indictment unsealed on Sunday charges Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz with multiple counts, including conspiracy, wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York allege the two intentionally threw balls instead of strikes during specific games in exchange for bribes and kickbacks from sports bettors. The scheme reportedly began in May 2023, with Clase participating first before Ortiz later joined.

Prosecutors said the players “illegally enriched themselves and their co-conspirators, misled the public, and betrayed America’s pastime.”

Baseball analyst Keith Law called the case shocking: “They undermined the integrity of the sport as a whole, and if people break the most widely known rule in baseball, they should suffer the consequences.”

In a statement, the Cleveland Guardians said they will “continue to fully cooperate” with the investigation. Major League Baseball also confirmed its own internal probe remains ongoing.

The scandal follows other recent sports betting cases, including the arrests of a Portland Trail Blazers coach and a Miami Heat player linked to gambling and poker schemes.

Authorities say both Clase and Ortiz have been on paid leave since July, when the investigation began. Ortiz’s attorney has denied the charges, vowing to fight the case.

Both players are expected to appear in federal court on Monday for their first hearing.