MLB Pitchers Clase and Ortiz Face 20-Year Prison Terms Over Gambling Scandal
Two Major League Baseball pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, are facing serious criminal charges linked to gambling and fraud. The case centres on allegations of pitch manipulation for betting profits, though claims about cockfighting in their home country have also surfaced. A trial set for May will examine the evidence and potential risks of microbetting in sports.
Emmanuel Clase, a relief pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, stands accused of altering his pitching performances to influence gambling outcomes. Alongside fellow pitcher Luis Ortiz, he faces multiple charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. If found guilty, both players could receive up to 20 years in prison for each offence.
A gambler connected to the case has claimed that text messages exchanged with Clase were related to baseball in the Dominican Republic, not MLB games. However, no evidence has emerged linking the players to a specific gambler specialising in baseball bets, nor has any collaboration been proven. In response to the scandal, Major League Baseball has introduced stricter rules. The new policy restricts microbetting on individual pitches during games and bans such bets from parlays. The upcoming trial in May will explore the extent of the players' involvement and the broader implications for sports betting integrity.
The trial will determine whether Clase and Ortiz manipulated their performances for gambling gains. A conviction could result in decades-long prison sentences for each charge. Meanwhile, MLB’s updated betting policies aim to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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