CLEVELAND, Ohio — Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz pleaded not guilty Wednesday in federal court to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests, increasing the likelihood that their fraud trial will be postponed until fall. The two Cleveland Guardians pitchers face these accusations along with a third co-conspirator in the Eastern District of New York amid allegations of rigging baseball games.
Judge Hints at Moving Trial Date Beyond Baseball Season
Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto indicated the scheduled May 4 trial will probably be delayed, potentially setting a new date as late as October after the conclusion of the Major League Baseball season. No additional charges appeared in the recent rewritten indictment, which was unsealed last Friday and further exposed a coded system Clase and his associates allegedly used to coordinate pitch-fixing during games.
Details Emerge of Coded Language and Rule Violations
The indictment described the use of code words like “rooster” and “chicken” in phrases such as
“throw a rock at the first rooster in today’s fight”
as part of the communication strategy between the conspirators, according to an Associated Press report. Additionally, it revealed how Clase circumvented MLB regulations by using his cellphone from the bullpen during a game against the Cincinnati Reds. Prosecutors say bettors gained $27,000 by wagering on a single pitch Clase threw in that match.
Separate Defense Strategies Considered for the Pitchers
Ortiz’s attorneys have suggested their client may have been a victim rather than a willing participant in the scheme and have requested Judge Matsumoto to separate his case from Clase’s for individual trial proceedings. They argue Ortiz is entitled to a fair trial since evidence indicates he only threw two suspicious pitches over a 12-day period, unlike Clase who allegedly collaborated with gamblers multiple times since 2023.
Background of Charges and Current Status of Players
Both pitchers were charged in November with accepting thousands of dollars to help gamblers from the Dominican Republic win more than $460,000 through over 100 prop bets related to the outcomes of pitches in Guardians games. Since July, Clase and Ortiz have remained on non-disciplinary paid leave. They left the courthouse separately on Wednesday without speaking to reporters.
Ongoing Investigations and Official Responses
The Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball have declined to comment on the investigation, stating their cooperation with authorities continues. The outcome of this prolonged legal process may significantly affect the careers of the involved pitchers and raise further scrutiny on integrity issues within professional baseball.
