Trial date set for Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz bribery case

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz will be on trial next May on the federal charges that they both accepted bribes to help gamblers win prop bets on their pitches, it was announced Tuesday.

U.S. District Court Judge Kiyo Matsumoto announced that jury selection will begin May 4 with the trial expected to begin the following week. Matsumoto originally offered up a February trial date, but both sets of lawyers desired more time to prepare.

Ortiz was placed on leave July 3 and Clase was placed on leave July 18 due to an MLB investigation which ended each of their seasons.

The pair were indicted on charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery Nov. 9.

Ortiz pled not guilty on Nov. 10 while Clase remained on the lam until he was taken into custody Nov. 13 at JFK Airport in New York, pleading not guilty that same day. Both are out on bond and declined to comment after Tuesday's court appearance in New York.

The prosecution alleges that Clase and Ortiz accepted thousands of dollars in bribes to help a pair of gamblers in the Dominican Republic, their native country, win at least $460,000 placed on the speed of their pitches and whether they will be strikes or balls.

Clase, 27, is a two-time American League Reliever of the Year and three-time All-Star with a 1.88 ERA and 182 saves over six seasons, the last five of which came in Cleveland.

Ortiz, 26, was traded to the Guardians ahead of the 2025 season. He has a 4.05 career ERA over 75 appearances (50 starts) spanning four major league seasons.

The pair are next due back in court Jan. 15, 2026.

--Field Level Media