Guardian's closer Clase implicated in match-fixing case; prosecutors allege involvement in 48 games

Emmanuel Clase, the closer for the Cleveland Guardians, is under investigation for match-fixing, with new developments emerging. Recent court documents reveal suspicious activities spanning two years and involving as many as 48 games, far exceeding the scope previously disclosed by prosecutors.

According to legal documents obtained by ESPN reporter David Purdum, prosecutors accuse Clase of deliberately throwing "questionable pitches" in 48 Major League games between May 2023 and June 2025. Among these, 250 pitches are considered problematic, allegedly aiding accomplices in profiting from specific sports betting schemes. Given Clase’s total of 178 appearances during this period, approximately 27% of his outings are flagged, a figure significantly higher than the 9 games cited in last year’s indictment.

This figure comes from co-defendant and Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz. In contrast, Ortiz is only accused of 2 questionable pitches. His legal team argues there is a substantial difference in the level of involvement between the two and has petitioned the court for separate trials, warning that a joint trial might bias the jury against Ortiz due to the extensive scale of Clase’s alleged misconduct.

Ortiz’s lawyers emphasize that the charges do not show any direct connection between Ortiz and bettors, whereas Clase’s alleged offenses span 26 months and include 48 suspected fixed games, multiple communications with gamblers, cash transfers, and coordination of illegal wagers, highlighting a clear disparity in their situations.

Clase and Ortiz were indicted last November by federal prosecutors on serious charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and bribery to influence sports events, carrying potential combined sentences of several decades. Both defendants deny all allegations, with the trial scheduled for May.

Both players remain on the Guardians’ roster but have been placed on the restricted list and are currently suspended without pay. Beyond criminal consequences, they also face possible lifetime bans from Major League Baseball, as investigations continue.

Notably, Clase was still considered one of the league’s top closers during the period in question. Under his contract, he was set to earn $6.4 million in the 2026 season, with club options worth $10 million each for 2027 and 2028. With the widening scope of the case, Clase’s career and reputation are likely to suffer irreversible damage.