How Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz became central to a financial inquiry that now places their MLB careers under uncertainty

Not too long ago, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were just two pitchers finding their place in a lengthy MLB season. Clase, the closer for the Cleveland Guardians known for his blazing speed, had landed a multi-year contract extension.

Ortiz was trying to make a name for himself. They were meant to concentrate on baseball, results, consistency, and the grind of the season. But now, their names are linked to a federal investigation looking into betting activities related to in-game pitch outcomes. Investigators have presented sequences of pitches that supposedly matched bets placed on things like called balls or pitch speed limits.Among the examples listed in the filings are two outings from June, including one against the Seattle Mariners.

They're reviewing phone records, financial transfers, and betting data side-by-side as part of the investigation. A key question now is whether the pitches were made on purpose or if they were just mistakes in the hectic pace of the season. MLB has put both pitchers on administrative leave as the legal proceedings continue.

Contract guarantees, roster futures, and reputations are all hanging in the balance.Key incidents spotlight Ortiz's role, making the duo central figures:

Clase's solo contributions extended over more games, featuring a weird event on May 17, 2025, where he pulled out his cell phone in the middle of the game to connect with a bettor.

That day, his pitch was clocked at under 97.95 mph and was deemed a ball, leading to a $10,000 win for gamblers.

Yet another lowlight: On May 28, 2025, while playing the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clase tried to catch a ball, but batter Andy Pages missed his swing, leading to a strike. Shortly after, "Bettor-1" texted Clase a GIF of a man hanging himself with toilet paper in exasperation; Clase replied with a sad puppy GIF, despite the Guardians winning the game.The prosecutors provided details using text messages, payment records, and betting data, which illustrated how bribes were funneled through apps and wires. On April 13, 2025, following a win for bettors on a slow Clase pitch, he messaged a co-conspirator asking for some of the winnings to be sent to the Dominican Republic for "country house repairs." Additionally, in May 2025, he ordered a $2,000 transfer there as well.

Why Their Careers Hang in the Balance: Contracts, Bans, and Prison Risks

For Clase and Ortiz, the fallout from the financial probe is twofold: legal trouble and professional disaster. A conviction on all counts—wire fraud conspiracy (maximum of 20 years), honest services wire fraud (maximum of 20 years), sports bribery conspiracy (maximum of 5 years), and money laundering (maximum of 20 years).MLB's rules are unforgiving, "Any player... who bets on a baseball game in which they have a duty to perform...

is permanently ineligible." Even if you're not directly betting, helping others cheat goes against integrity rules, just like the lifetime ban imposed on Tucupita Marcano in 2024 for betting on games not involving his team.Clase and Ortiz, who have been on paid leave since July, are probably looking at termination and being banned from baseball.The financial stakes are incredibly high. Clase's extension in 2022—a five-year deal worth $20 million that runs through 2026, featuring a $2 million signing bonus and an average annual value of $4 million—comes with club options for 2027-28 at $10 million each, which could keep him around until 2028 before he hits free agency in 2029.In 2025 alone, he made $4.9 million. The supposed kickbacks—ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 per incident—are nothing compared to what he's put on the line, including voided guarantees and lost endorsements.Ortiz, who was eligible for pre-arbitration, inked a one-year deal worth $782,600 for 2025, but it got canceled after the indictment. His potential to earn, which was just starting to grow, has now disappeared.As Paul Hoynes wrote in Cleveland.com, "Are Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz on path of no return?" The response, unless acquitted, appears to be yes—similar to Pete Rose's ban for gambling back in 1989.In 2018, the U.S. sports betting market is expected to hit $150 billion annually by 2025, as reported by the American Gaming Association. Organizations like MLB, which previously banned all baseball betting, are now collaborating with DraftKings, though they remain vigilant against any fixes.

In May 2025, Commissioner Manfred reinstated Pete Rose from the ineligible list, stating that bans should cease with death, "The integrity of our game remains paramount.

"Clase and Ortiz, once icons of Dominican pride in Major League Baseball, are now facing an inquiry that highlights the vulnerabilities within a globalized sport. Nocella cautioned that corruption undermines the trust of fans. Their trial, anticipated in 2026, will not only put their careers on the line but also test baseball's ability to maintain its essence amidst the betting frenzy. For now, uncertainty casts a long shadow over Progressive Field.Also Read: Los Angeles Dodgers finally break silence on claims they’re ruining baseball