Overview
- Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York unsealed a 23-page indictment alleging the pitchers coordinated intentional balls to benefit prop bets, including pitches thrown in the dirt or on first offers.
- The charges include wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.
- Prosecutors cite specific bribe payments to influence pitches on June 15 ($5,000) and June 27 ($7,000), with corresponding facilitation payments, and allege bettors won at least $400,000 tied to Clase and about $60,000 tied to Ortiz.
- The indictment says Clase’s alleged conduct began in May 2023 and Ortiz joined in June 2025, with investigators highlighting in-game communications that coordinated pitch outcomes.
- MLB and the Guardians say they referred the matter to federal authorities and are cooperating; both players had been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July and each faces up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all counts.