Two MLB pitchers indicted for illegal gambling

Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians have been indicted in Brooklyn on charges including fraud, conspiracy and bribery, according to reports.

The players are accused of deliberately throwing balls in major-league games to enable illegal betting on whether a pitch would be a ball or a strike. 

According to the 23-page indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the scheme reportedly began in May 2023 with Clase and later expanded to involve Ortiz.  

Prosecutors allege that the pair accepted payments.

Ortiz allegedly received $5,000 on June 15 for intentionally throwing a ball, and then both were paid $7,000 each on June 27 for a similar act. 

Ortiz was taken into custody in Boston on Sunday, while Clase is not currently jailed.  

If convicted on all counts, each faces up to 65 years in prison.