Defense attorneys said a man they described as a “serial liar” and “gambling addict” deceived Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase and bet on him and teammate Luis Ortiz, while prosecutors labeled the two pitchers “cheaters” during opening statements of their federal trial Wednesday.
Clase, 28, is accused of rigging at least 18 pitches in 17 games from May 19, 2023, to May 28, 2025, often by intentionally throwing balls or by tipping off bettors that he would throw an off-speed pitch. Ortiz, 27, allegedly joined the plot in June 2025 and is accused of manipulating two pitches in two games. The two are standing trial for charges of conspiracy to commit wire and honest services fraud, sports bribery and money laundering.
An attorney for Clase, Michael Bronson, said bettor Enoc Pena took advantage of Clase and made false claims to associates about having inside information about the speed and result of select pitches.
