MLB places Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on unpaid leave
Major League Baseball has placed Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on unpaid non-disciplinary leave as they await trial for an alleged pitch-rigging scheme.
The duo previously remained on paid leave after pleading not guilty to multiple conspiracy charges.
Federal prosecutors accuse the pair of intentionally throwing balls to financially benefit gamblers wagering on individual pitches.
Joint agreement reached
The decision to suspend their pay follows a mutual agreement between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association.
“As the legal proceedings involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz continue to move forward, MLB and the MLBPA have agreed that both players will remain on non-disciplinary leave from the Club without pay until further notice,” MLB said in a statement.
“This agreement is not an admission of any wrongdoing by Clase or Ortiz.”
“MLB has been closely monitoring the matter since alerting federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and will have no further comment until its investigation has been completed.”
Severe potential consequences
North American baseball’s governing body typically avoids issuing formal suspensions while active legal proceedings remain unresolved.
However, the transition to unpaid status reflects the significant weight of evidence presented in the ongoing federal case.
The 28-year-old closer and his 27-year-old team-mate face serious charges including wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and bribery to influence sporting events.
If convicted, the most severe charges carry a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Jury selection for their upcoming trial in the Eastern District of New York is scheduled to begin on 2 November.
Hundreds of pitches scrutinised
While the initial November indictment alleged rigged pitches across nine games, recent court filings suggest a much broader scope.
Defence attorneys noted in February that the government is now examining alleged performance manipulation spanning at least 48 games between the 2023 and 2025 seasons.
Legal representatives for the former All-Star closer have identified at least 250 specific pitches that attracted suspicious wagers.
In response to the unfolding scandal, the league has formally requested sportsbooks to impose strict limits on micro-betting markets.
MLB is actively seeking to cap individual pitch wagers at $200 (£158) and prohibit their inclusion in lucrative parlay bets to deter future corruption.
