Could charges vs. MLB pitchers lead to microbetting ban?

Less than 10 days after the completion of the World Series, a federal judge unsealed an indictment Sunday against two Cleveland Guardians pitchers in connection with pitch-rigging charges.

The charges against Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz arguably represent the most serious gambling infractions against any Major League Baseball players since the historic PASPA decision in 2018. As set forth in the indictment, the defendants rigged specific pitches in advance of their appearances on the mound. According to prosecutors, the pitchers then provided non-public information to their co-conspirators, who used the information to place hundreds of fraudulent bets on the pitches.

On at least five occasions dating back to May 2023, Clase provided information to co-conspirators that was used to place thousands of dollars in bets. The bettors won approximately $450,000 on the wagers in question, with about $400,000 from information provided by Clase, prosecutors allege.

“When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us,” said Joseph Nocella Jr., who serves as interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s charges make clear that our office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who corrupt sports through illegal means.”

Allegations of rigged microbets

Clase, a three-time MLB All Star, received American League Relief Pitcher of the Year honors in 2022, a season in which he led MLB in saves. Prior to that season, he agreed to a five-year, $20 million extension that included a $2 million signing bonus. It did not deter him from allegedly conspiring with a bettor as early as 2023.

In furtherance of the conspiracy, Clase informed an individual identified as “Bettor 1” of the type of pitches he planned on throwing at certain points of a sequence. In most cases, they agreed that Clase would miss the strike zone, usually on the first pitch when he entered a game. Before a Guardians game against the Mets on 19 May 2023, Clase provided advanced information to a bettor on a specific pitch that he intended to throw.

In many instances, Clase informed his co-conspirators of the type of pitch he intended to throw, enabling the bettors to win large wagers on a pitch speed prop. Against the Mets, “Bettor 1” and several other bettors won $27,000 by wagering that a pitch by Clase would exceed 94.95 miles per hour.

Deliberately hurling pitches into the dirt

According to the indictment:

— On  3 June 2023, Clase faced the Twins, the Guardians’ AL Central rival. The bettor and several co-conspirators won $38,000 on multiple parlays that Clase would throw a ball and his pitch would be clocked at under 94.95 mph. Federal authorities captured screenshots of the pitch that landed low and in the dirt.

— Nearly two years later, Clase “requested and received” a kickback payment in exchange for agreeing to throw certain pitches. On 12 April 2025, several bettors won $15,000 on a parlay that Clase’s pitch would be a ball and would be clocked at under 98.45 mph. Clase threw the pitch into the grass well before home plate. On the following day, Clase directed the bettor to send some of the winnings to the Dominican Republic.

— On 15 June 2025, Clase and Ortiz conspired to rig a pitch from Ortiz. Before the game, Ortiz agreed to throw a ball on his first pitch in the second inning. In exchange, Ortiz received $5,000, prosecutors allege. Under the arrangement, Clase also received $5,000. The bettors wagered approximately $13,000 on the microbet for a payout of $26,000.

A push to ban microbetting

The indictments were unsealed in the Eastern District of New York, which has become an epicenter for cracking down on illegal sports betting. Last week, the first of three NBA figures were arraigned in a dual sports betting-poker scheme that has rocked basketball. In light of the historic indictments, multiple federal lawmakers have called for a ban on prop bets.

Also this month, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has resumed calls to prohibit microbetting on baseball. Over the summer, DeWine wrote a bulletin to the Ohio Casino Control Commission urging the regulatory agency to remove prop bets on “highly specific events” within games that are “completely controlled by one player”. During the MLB All-Star break, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred remarked that certain microbets, specifically ones on pitches, are “particularly vulnerable” to manipulation.

MLB released a statement Sunday that said: “MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process. We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”

The indictments represent the fourth integrity case against a major US sport over the last month, following stories involving the NBA, college basketball and the UFC.

A lengthy prison sentence

Both pitchers are facing several charges — including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy — for their roles in the alleged schemes. Ortiz, 26, was arrested on Sunday at Logan International Airport in Boston. The Guardians pitcher was scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Monday.

In a statement provided to ESPN, an attorney for Ortiz said that the pitcher is innocent of the charges and that he “would never improperly influence a game”. Chris Georgalis, an attorney for Ortiz, wrote that the charges relate to only two pitches thrown by his client.

MLB suspended both pitchers over the summer, pending further investigation. If convicted, the pitchers each face up to 65 years in prison. As of Sunday afternoon, Clase was not in U.S. custody, according to a press release from prosecutors.