MLB ‘spot-fixing’ trial set to begin in US court | Baseball News
Former MLB Pitchers Stand Trial for Conspiracy to Influence Games
Published: November 2, 2026
Former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are set to begin their trial on Monday in Brooklyn federal court, facing charges related to a bribery scheme that allegedly involved influencing the outcome of games in Major League Baseball (MLB). The two pitchers are accused of accepting bribes from gamblers who profited significantly by betting on specific pitches.
The trial is critical for Clase and Ortiz, as it may determine the future of their professional careers and their personal freedoms. It is expected to last approximately one month, with several former baseball players and executives among the witnesses who will testify.
Clase, who previously served as the Guardians’ closer, and Ortiz, a starting pitcher, have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Both players are currently on non-disciplinary leave without pay as the legal proceedings unfold.
According to the indictment, the pitchers allegedly received thousands of dollars from two gamblers from the Dominican Republic in exchange for insider information on pitch speeds and outcomes, leading to winnings of at least $460,000 on in-game prop bets. Prosecutors assert that Clase began providing detailed information regarding his pitches in 2023 and subsequently recruited Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. Ortiz’s attorneys sought to separate his trial from Clase’s but were unsuccessful.
At a pre-trial conference on Friday, Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto expressed hopes for a swift jury selection process, enabling lawyers to deliver brief opening statements later that day.
Clase, 28, is a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year. He was in the fourth year of a five-year, $20 million contract when the charges became public in November 2025. Ortiz, 27, earned $782,600 during the 2025 season as a starting pitcher for the Guardians.
Both pitchers face multiple charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting contests through bribery.
The defense team plans to argue that Clase and Ortiz did not collude with gamblers, but rather were adjusting their pitching strategies as part of normal gameplay.
In a notable pre-trial ruling, the judge decided that prosecutors would not be allowed to present evidence regarding Clase’s purported $500,000 tax liability, citing late disclosure of the information to the defense. Prosecutors had hoped to use this evidence to counter any arguments that Clase lacked the motive to engage in collusion due to his financial stability.
Both MLB and the Cleveland Guardians have stated they are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. MLB reported that it alerted federal authorities when it detected irregular betting patterns involving the games.
