Emmanuel Clase allegedly helped bettors more than previously believed

Emmanuel Clase’s alleged betting scheme may get much deeper than originally thought. 

The attorney for Luis Ortiz, Clase’s co-conspirator and former Guardians teammate, wrote in a court filing that the star closer rigged pitches in at least 48 games over two years, according to a report from ESPN’s David Purdum on Thursday. 

The feds had only cited nine games when accusing Clase of conspiring with bettors in their November indictment, according to the outlet. 

In addition, Cristos N. Georgalis, Ortiz’s attorney, argued in the filing that his client has a “markedly different level[s] of culpability” in the gambling scheme, and is seeking to sever his case from Clase’s, ESPN reported. 

In November, federal investigators accused Clase of rigging pitches with a bettor as far back as May 2023, throwing particular pitches for balls in order for the bettor to win big money on prop bets.

Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025, with both Guardians pitchers being given kickbacks from the winnings.

The pair was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by Major League Baseball in early July.

Ortiz’s representatives have argued that he’s done no wrongdoing, writing in a statement after the indictment was unsealed, “There is no credible evidence Luis knowingly did anything other than to try to win games with every pitch and every inning. Luis looks forward to fighting these charges in court. The government’s case is weak and circumstantial.”

Last month, Clase’s attorneys argued that prosecutors misinterpreted his text messages, stating that the wagers were tied to his legal rooster-fighting operation in the Dominican Republic.

Clase was referred to as a “well-publicized breeder and participant in rooster fighting activities,” in that filing. 

One unnamed bettor tied to the scheme claimed he placed wagers on Clase’s pitches only as a “big sports fan.”