Major League Baseball has taken significant strides in the ongoing legal battle involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers.
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been placed on unpaid non-disciplinary leave as their legal circumstances unfold, as announced by the league on Friday. This decision was made with the consent of the MLB Players Association.
Previously, both players were under paid leave.
This alteration comes as they await trial on serious federal charges related to an alleged pitch-rigging scheme associated with sports betting.
At 28, Clase and 27, Ortiz have both entered not-guilty pleas.
Prosecutors suggest these players accepted money to intentionally throw specific pitches, including purposely throwing balls, to influence bets on pitch outcomes. Charges against them include wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and bribery, all connected to the manipulation of sports events. Certain charges have potential sentences reaching up to 20 years.
MLB stated that this leave is not a disciplinary action.
“This agreement does not imply any admission of wrongdoing,” the league declared in a statement, clarifying that further comments will not be made while investigations persist.
However, the shift to unpaid status holds significance.
court documents indicate that the purported scheme originated in 2023 and could encompass numerous games. Prosecutors assert that Clase altered both pitch type and velocity in specific situations, while Ortiz was subsequently involved.
The repercussions of this case are already reverberating throughout the league.
MLB has urged sportsbooks to limit wagers on individual pitches and control how such bets are utilized, aiming to mitigate the chances of similar incidents.
The trial is set for the fall, with jury selection scheduled to begin on November 2.
Both players continue to stay away from the team as the legal proceedings progress.
