Cleveland Guardians relievers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been moved from paid to unpaid non-disciplinary leave as they await trial on federal charges alleging they manipulated pitches to benefit gamblers. The salary suspension, agreed upon by Major League Baseball and the players union, comes as prosecutors have expanded their case to potentially include 48 games and hundreds of individual pitches.
The transition from paid to unpaid leave represents a significant escalation in MLB's handling of what federal prosecutors describe as an elaborate betting scheme. Clase, earning $6.4 million in 2026 as part of a five-year contract extension, and Ortiz, making near the league minimum of $780,000, have pleaded not guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery.
"This agreement is not an admission of any wrongdoing by Clase or Ortiz," MLB said in a statement Friday. "MLB has been closely monitoring the matter since alerting federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and will have no further comment until its investigation has been completed."
The scope of the alleged conspiracy has grown dramatically since the initial indictment. While prosecutors originally accused Clase of rigging nine games, court filings now suggest the scheme encompassed at least 48 games spanning the 2023 through 2025 seasons. Defense attorneys have identified "at least 250 pitches on which bets were placed," indicating the investigation continues to expand.
Court documents reveal the intricate nature of the alleged manipulation. On May 19, 2023, prosecutors say Clase told bettors he would throw a pitch faster than 94.95 mph, generating $27,000 in winnings. Weeks later, a parlay combining a pitch slower than 94.95 mph with the pitch being called a ball netted $38,000 when Clase "buried a slider at least 5 feet in front of home plate."
The investigation took a personal turn when prosecutors alleged Clase once requested proceeds from a successful wager be sent to the Dominican Republic "for repairs at the country house." By April 2025, according to the indictment, Clase was "requesting and receiving bribe and kickback payments in exchange for agreeing to throw specific pitches."
Ortiz's involvement allegedly began after joining the Guardians in a trade before the 2025 season. On June 15, 2025, prosecutors claim he agreed with Clase to throw the first pitch of the second inning for a ball in exchange for $5,000, with Clase receiving an equal amount for arranging the fix. When Ortiz received a payment of 90,000 Dominican pesos — approximately $1,400 — Clase allegedly instructed him to say "this payment is for a horse" if questioned.
Alleged scheme begins with Clase manipulating pitch outcomes
Ortiz joins conspiracy after trade to Cleveland
Federal indictment unsealed, players placed on paid leave
Players moved to unpaid leave as trial approaches
The case has prompted unprecedented action from MLB regarding betting markets. The league has requested sportsbooks cap individual pitch wagers at $200 and prohibit such bets from being included in parlays to prevent escalated payouts. These restrictions represent MLB's attempt to eliminate incentives for similar schemes while maintaining the integrity of pitch-by-pitch betting markets that have grown increasingly popular.
For the Guardians, losing two key relievers creates significant roster challenges as the season approaches. Clase, one of baseball's premier closers, recorded 47 saves in 2025 and was instrumental in Cleveland's playoff push. His absence forces the team to restructure their bullpen hierarchy during a critical period.
The legal proceedings move slowly while the baseball calendar waits for no one. Jury selection is scheduled to begin November 2, meaning the players will likely miss the entire 2026 season regardless of the trial's outcome. The timing creates an unusual situation where the court of law and court of public opinion operate on vastly different schedules.
MLB's decision to move from paid to unpaid leave suggests the evidence presented thus far has influenced the league's assessment of the case's severity. While the league typically avoids discipline before legal proceedings conclude, the salary suspension indicates growing confidence in the prosecution's allegations.
The case represents the most significant gambling-related scandal in baseball since the Pete Rose era, but with modern twists that reflect today's hyper-granular betting markets. Unlike traditional game-fixing schemes that target final scores, the alleged conspiracy exploited the ability to wager on individual pitches — a market that barely existed a decade ago.