Two Cleveland Guardians Pitchers to Face Trial for Allegedly Taking Bribes
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are set to go on trial in May on federal charges accusing them of accepting bribes from gamblers who bet on their pitches.
U.S. District Court Judge Kiyo Matsumoto announced that jury selection is expected to start on May 4 in Brooklyn federal court, followed by the trial the next week or sooner. The trial, as anticipated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Sherman, may last up to two weeks.
While both sides have been discussing since the pitchers’ arrest last month, the possibility of a plea deal to avoid the trial has not been addressed yet.
Originally suggesting a February trial date, Matsumoto later agreed to a spring start at the request of prosecutors and defense attorneys.
Sherman mentioned that prosecutors have begun sharing evidence and other materials with the defense team this week in preparation for the trial, including a substantial amount of data extracted from various electronic devices.
Clase, Ortiz, and their legal representatives refrained from commenting outside the courtroom, with their next court appearance scheduled for January 15.
The duo, who pleaded not guilty last month to several charges including wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies, have been out on bond.
Prosecutors allege that Clase and Ortiz received bribes to assist unidentified gamblers in the Dominican Republic in winning over $460,000 on bets related to the speed and outcomes of their pitches. Clase, a standout closer for the Guardians, reportedly started sharing pitch information in 2023, eventually involving Ortiz in the scheme earlier this year.
Both players have denied the accusations, with Ortiz’s lawyer insisting that their client’s transactions in the Dominican Republic were lawful, not illicit payments.
Clase, aged 27, is a highly decorated pitcher, while Ortiz, aged 26, has been a key player for the Guardians. The athletes have been on paid leave since July amid an MLB investigation into unusual betting patterns during their games.
Spring training for the Guardians is set to commence in February, with the team’s first home game scheduled for April 3.