Gambling Scandal Widens to MLB, Players Jailed

By
Lenn Durant
November 14, 2025
3
 minute read
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Gambling Scandal Widens to MLB, Players Jailed

By
Lenn Durant
5 min read
Share this post

Just as the NBA faced its charges with former and current players in a gambling sting, news surfaced of more athletes being arrested for wager tampering in Major League Baseball. Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on charges related to rigging the speed and location of their pitches for bettors. Ortiz was released on $500,000 bail and placed on administrative leave by the Guardians pending investigation. According to prosecutors, the pair was alleged to have made at least $450,000 from betting platforms and could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted.

The indictment reads: “The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on the wire fraud conspiracy count, 20 years’ imprisonment on the honest services wire fraud conspiracy count, five years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery count, and 20 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering conspiracy count.”

Although the investigation began earlier in the summer, news of the arrests was made public this week. “MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process,” the league said in a statement to ESPN. “We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”

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