Baseball Fraud Trial: Opening Arguments Cast Pitchers as Cheaters

A federal judge in Brooklyn is now overseeing the criminal trial of two Cleveland Guardians pitchers.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Urquiola told the jury on November 4 that Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are cheaters who sold their pitches. She described a scheme that began in early 2023 when Clase befriended Enoc Pena, a sports bettor from the Dominican Republic. The two bonded over dominoes and cockfighting, a game legal in their home country. Urquiola said Clase agreed to reveal his pitch selection for specific games. This allowed gamblers to collect at least $460,000 on platforms that wager on individual pitches. The prosecutor argued that Clase later demanded kickbacks after watching friends profit from his secrets.

Clase and Ortiz have both pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges. They have been on non-disciplinary leave without pay since their arrest in November 2025. Both pitchers are currently free on bail. Urquiola stated that Clase brought Ortiz into the arrangement in 2025. She said text messages and witness testimony would prove the government's case. The texts often used code words such as chicken or rooster to describe the rigged pitches.

Defense attorneys presented a different narrative. Michael Bronson, who represents Clase, argued that Pena falsely claimed to have inside information. Bronson said Pena was a 41-year-old gambler who placed more than 7,000 bets between 2023 and 2025. The lawyer described Pena as a mark-seeker who saw Clase as a friend rather than a target. Bronson noted that Pena brought Clase food and picked him up at the airport. In return, Clase gave Pena tickets and loaned him money. Bronson argued that Pena was guessing at pitch selections while bragging to others. He said Pena and other gamblers actually lost more than 200 bets on Clase's pitches.

Samuel Landes, the attorney for Ortiz, told the jury that his client had no direct contact with the gamblers. Landes stated that only two of Ortiz's pitches are at issue in the trial. Both were balls. He asked the jury to consider that Ortiz had $1.7 million in advance payments for future contracts. Landes argued that Ortiz would not risk that financial security for $5,000 in tips. He asked Ortiz to stand and wave to the jury during the opening statement.

Landes also noted that Pena reached a deal with prosecutors. This agreement allows Pena to avoid prison and remain in the United States despite previous lies on immigration forms. Prosecutors announced last week that they do not plan to call Pena to the stand.

Clase is 28 years old and a three-time All-Star. He finished the fourth year of a five-year, $20 million contract when the charges became public. Ortiz is 27 and earned $782,600 as a starter in 2025.