BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been granted a $500,000 bond following his federal court appearance on charges of pitch rigging. This urgent development comes as authorities allege Ortiz and teammate Emmanuel Clase took bribes to influence prop bets in their native Dominican Republic.
The charges were unveiled in a federal indictment unsealed on July 15, 2023, revealing that Ortiz and Clase allegedly accepted several thousand dollars in payoffs to help gamblers win at least $460,000 on bets linked to the speed and outcome of specific pitches, including some that did not even reach the strike zone.
During the court session in Boston, U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell set strict conditions for Ortiz’s release. He must surrender his passport, restrict travel to the Northeast, and avoid contacting potential victims or witnesses in the case. Ortiz, dressed in a pale green tracksuit, remained silent throughout the proceedings.
“Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports,” stated U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr.. “When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust.”
Both Ortiz and Clase, who has been on paid leave since July, are accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery. The top charges could result in up to 20 years in prison. Major League Baseball (MLB) initiated the investigation after noticing unusually high betting activity during games in which the two pitched.
Ortiz’s attorney, Chris Georgalis, asserted his client’s innocence, claiming the payments were for legal activities. MLB has confirmed its cooperation with federal law enforcement as the investigation continues.
In a shocking example cited in the indictment, Clase allegedly communicated with a bettor prior to a game against the Boston Red Sox in April, leading to an $11,000 win on a wager that he would pitch slower than 97.95 mph. Clase, a three-time All-Star, was earning $4.5 million this season under a five-year contract.
Ortiz’s involvement reportedly began in June, with accusations that he manipulated pitches during games against the Seattle Mariners and the St. Louis Cardinals. The fallout from these charges represents a significant escalation in the ongoing crackdown on gambling within professional sports.
As this story develops, both the Guardians and MLB have pledged to fully cooperate with investigations. Fans and sports enthusiasts alike are left questioning the integrity of the game they love.
Stay tuned for more updates on this critical story as it unfolds.
