Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, **Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz** and **Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera**, have been charged in a federal case accusing them of accepting bribes to rig pitches during Major League Baseball games. Prosecutors and the FBI allege the two were involved in a sports betting and money laundering scheme that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal wagers.<br /><br />According to the indictment, Clase allegedly joined the scheme in **May 2023**, and Ortiz in **June 2025**. Investigators claim the players coordinated with co-conspirators to provide inside information and intentionally manipulate specific pitches. In one example, before a **June 27, 2025** game, Ortiz was allegedly paid **$7,000** to throw a rigged pitch, while Clase received the same amount for helping arrange it. Prosecutors also say Clase withdrew **$50,000 in cash** and gave **$15,000** to a co-conspirator who used it to place bets.<br /><br />Authorities allege Ortiz’s actions earned co-conspirators about **$60,000**, while Clase’s involvement led to at least **$400,000** in winnings. Both players are accused of defrauding MLB, the Guardians, and online sportsbooks. “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it dishonors the game and erodes public trust,” U.S. Attorney **Joseph Nocella Jr.** said in a statement.<br /><br />Ortiz was arrested in **Boston** on Sunday, while Clase remains outside U.S. custody. Both had previously been placed on paid leave during an MLB gambling investigation. They now face multiple charges, including **wire fraud conspiracy**, **honest services fraud**, **bribery conspiracy**, and **money laundering conspiracy**.<br /><br />The Guardians said they are fully cooperating with investigators. Ortiz’s lawyer, **Chris Georgalis**, maintains his client’s innocence, saying he “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game.” Clase’s representative also insists the pitcher does not gamble.<br /><br />The charges come shortly after the FBI announced several arrests in similar sports betting and laundering cases involving professional athletes and organized crime figures.<br /><br />#MLB #MajorLeagueBaseball #ClevelandGuardians #LuisOrtiz #GamblingProbe #SportsBetting #Indicted #Guilty #pitching
