CLEVELAND — Recently unsealed court documents have shed new light on the growing investigation into pitch-rigging allegations involving Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase. Prosecutors claim the scope of the three-time All-Star’s alleged illegal gambling activities between 2023 and 2025 is far broader than initially reported, revealing additional instances of manipulated pitches aimed at profiting from microbets.
According to U.S. attorneys from the Eastern District of New York, Clase reportedly conspired with bettors on at least 15 occasions to deliberately throw pitches outside the strike zone or below specific velocity thresholds, affecting money won in various microgambling scenarios. Prosecutors maintain Clase successfully executed these illicit pitches during 12 distinct games and attempted to do so three additional times but did not enter those matches.
Additional Accusations Against Clase and Fellow Pitcher Luis Ortiz
The original indictment charged Clase with nine counts of pitch-rigging, but the latest superseding indictment, unsealed this past Friday, includes new allegations increasing those instances. The case also implicates fellow Cleveland pitcher Luis Ortiz, who is accused of throwing fixed pitches outside the strike zone during at least two games in the 2025 regular season. These charges against Ortiz remain unchanged.
The updated indictment introduces Robinson Vasquez Germosen, a Dominican Republic national and supposed associate of Clase, as a co-defendant for the first time. Authorities report that Vasquez lived intermittently in New York City and Massachusetts between 2024 and 2025. Prosecutors allege that Clase arranged baseball tickets for Vasquez approximately 28 times as part of their ongoing connection.
Role of Robinson Vasquez in the Alleged Gambling Scheme
A December 10, 2025, federal criminal complaint initially outlined Vasquez’s involvement before a grand jury formally indicted him alongside Clase and Ortiz earlier this week. This complaint detailed two occasions during the 2024 season where officials believe Vasquez and Clase collaborated to secure illicit gambling proceeds, including one during the Guardians’ 2024 playoff run.
One notable rigged pitch allegedly occurred during Game 1 of the 2024 American League Division Series between Cleveland and the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Clase entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with Cleveland leading 7-0. An FBI special agent stated in a sworn affidavit that two unnamed bettors won about $4,000 by betting that Clase would throw a pitch outside the strike zone traveling slower than 99.45 miles per hour. Vasquez was reportedly attending the game as Clase’s guest, and one bettor transferred $1,400 to Vasquez via Zelle following the successful wager.
Based on my training, experience, and knowledge of this investigation, I believe that these funds were VASQUEZ’s proceeds of the fraudulent pitch rigging scheme,
said the FBI agent.
Clase’s Performance and Timing of Allegations During the 2024 Season
Clase, who had arguably the best regular season for a Cleveland reliever in franchise history in 2024, struggled during that year’s playoffs. He recorded a 0-2 win-loss record with a 9.00 ERA and a blown save across seven postseason appearances. Despite this slump, Clase notably retired all three batters he faced in the critical Game 1 of the ALDS on October 5 to help secure a 7-0 victory for the Guardians.
However, the newly unsealed indictment does not include charging allegations related to the 2024 postseason, meaning neither Clase nor Vasquez currently face official accusations tied to that series. Instead, prosecutors have focused on other specific dates spanning from 2023 through 2025 when they claim Clase threw or attempted to manipulate pitches:
- May 19, 2023 at New York Mets
- June 3, 2023 at Minnesota Twins
- June 4, 2023 at Minnesota Twins (new allegation)
- June 7, 2023 vs. Boston Red Sox
- June 9, 2023 vs. Houston Astros (new allegation)
- June 10, 2023 vs. Houston Astros (new allegation, did not enter game)
- June 15, 2023 at San Diego Padres (new allegation)
- September 30, 2023 at Detroit Tigers (new allegation, did not enter game)
- April 12, 2025 vs. Kansas City Royals
- April 26, 2025 vs. Boston Red Sox
- May 11, 2025 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
- May 13, 2025 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
- May 17, 2025 at Cincinnati Reds
- May 18, 2025 at Cincinnati Reds (new allegation, did not enter game)
- May 28, 2025 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Coded Language Revealed in Communication Between Clase and Vasquez
The indictment exposes a series of coded messages that prosecutors believe Clase and Vasquez used to discuss their illicit activities, frequently using terms such as “rooster” and “chicken.” One example cited is a text before the May 18, 2025 game in Cincinnati, where Vasquez messaged Clase:
throw a rock at the first rooster in today’s fight
. This was interpreted as an instruction to throw a pitch to the first batter. Clase replied,
Yes, of course, that’s an easy toss to that rooster,
before adding, yes, low. However, Clase did not pitch in that game, which Cleveland ultimately lost 3-1.
Clase’s defense has claimed these communications actually reference cockfighting, which is legal and culturally prevalent in the Dominican Republic, according to a prior report from Cleveland.com. An FBI agent stated in the 2025 complaint that Clase
gambled on rooster fights, which is legal and popular in the Dominican Republic
and used genuine references to roosters in other texts.
Despite this defense, the agent also noted:
However, based on my familiarity with the investigation, including my review of several electronic devices seized pursuant to judicially-authorized warrants, I have determined that this particular exchange refers to a fixed pitch based on the context of the exchange and my review of Clase’s messages with Bettor-1 around this time,
Legal Maneuvering and Separate Defense Strategies Emerging
Recent court filings indicate that attorneys for Luis Ortiz are seeking to separate his case from Clase’s, arguing Ortiz only participated in the scheme during its latter phase and is implicated in fewer games. Ortiz’s legal team contends that tying his defense to Clase’s would be akin to admitting the government’s case against Clase is strong while trying to claim Ortiz’s innocence, portraying Ortiz as a victim rather than a willing participant.
Put another way, this defense would amount to an acceptance by Mr. Ortiz of the strength of the Government’s case against Mr. Clase, while explaining the evidence in a way that proves his own innocence, and would cast Mr. Ortiz as a victim of Mr. Clase’s scheme, rather than a knowing and willing participant,
the motion stated.
Current Status of Players and Upcoming Legal Proceedings
Both Ortiz and Clase have been on Major League Baseball’s Restricted List since last summer after the league’s investigation began. Ortiz was placed there in June and Clase in July. Each initially pleaded not guilty following their November arrests, and with the new indictment involving Vasquez, all three are scheduled for arraignment in New York this coming Wednesday. These developments are expected to delay the trial initially planned for May.
Meanwhile, the Guardians held spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, where pitchers and catchers reported recently. Luis Ortiz remains unsigned for the 2026 season, while Clase is slated to earn $6.4 million, the final guaranteed year on his contract. Club president Chris Antonetti has stated the organization is still deciding whether they will be financially responsible for those earnings since Clase has yet to receive any formal suspension from MLB.
Charges Against the Accused and Their Implications
The charges facing Clase and Ortiz include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Robinson Vasquez Germosen faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy alongside additional accusations for making false statements to the FBI.
This case highlights a critical challenge confronting Major League Baseball and law enforcement: addressing the infiltration of illegal gambling schemes into professional sports at the highest levels. The expanding allegations against Emmanuel Clase’s alleged pitch rigging and the involvement of multiple individuals deeply undermine the integrity of the game, forcing both the league and fans to grapple with the ramifications on trust and fairness going forward.
