A scandal that once sounded unbelievable is now heading toward a courtroom showdown.
Two MLB pitchers, millions in contracts, and a gambling scheme tied to rigged pitches—now the trial that could shake baseball has been delayed.
The federal case involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz has taken another dramatic turn, as the judge overseeing the explosive gambling investigation has officially pushed the trial back to November, delaying what could become one of the most closely watched sports corruption cases in years.
Originally scheduled to begin in May, the trial will now start with jury selection on November 2, giving both sides more time to prepare for a courtroom battle that is already showing signs of deep division.
At the heart of the delay is a critical unresolved question: Should the two pitchers be tried together—or separately?
U.S. District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto has not yet ruled on the defense teams’ requests to split the trials. But recent filings suggest that the two players may present conflicting defenses, potentially turning co-defendants into direct adversaries.
Lawyers for Luis Ortiz have signaled that their strategy could involve placing responsibility squarely on Emmanuel Clase, arguing that Ortiz may have been unknowingly pulled into a scheme orchestrated by his teammate.
Ortiz’s attorney, Christos N. Georgalis, described his client as potentially “a victim of Clase’s scheme rather than a knowing participant.”
That argument immediately raises the possibility of what legal experts call “mutually antagonistic defenses,” where each defendant attempts to prove innocence by implicating the other.
In response, lawyers representing Clase have also asked the court to separate the trials, warning that a joint trial could unfairly turn Ortiz into what they described as “a second prosecutor” against Clase.
Federal prosecutors, however, have pushed back on the request. Their position is simple: finger-pointing between defendants is not enough reason to split a trial.
The Alleged Pitch-Rigging Scheme
The charges against Clase and Ortiz are serious—and highly unusual for professional baseball.
Both pitchers have pleaded not guilty to multiple federal counts, including:
- Wire fraud conspiracy
- Honest services wire fraud conspiracy
- Conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery
- Money laundering conspiracy
According to prosecutors, the alleged scheme involved predetermining the outcome of specific pitches so that gamblers could profit from prop bets.
Those bets typically focused on details such as pitch velocity or whether the pitch would result in a ball or hit-by-pitch.
The indictment claims gamblers earned at least $450,000 in winnings by exploiting the manipulated plays. Prosecutors also allege that the pitchers received kickbacks or bribes in exchange for their participation.
Investigators say the operation centered on specific moments during games—often the first pitch of a predetermined inning.
To ensure predictable results, the pitcher would allegedly spike a slider, guaranteeing both a low velocity reading and a ball.
Cryptic Messages and Coded Language
Court filings reveal a web of unusual communications between Clase and alleged bettors, including messages using terms like “rooster” and “chickens.”
Prosecutors believe the language was coded references to fixed pitches.
One message sent before a May 18, 2025 game against the Cincinnati Reds read:
“Throw a rock at the first rooster in today’s fight.”
Clase reportedly replied:
“Yes, of course… that’s an easy toss to that rooster.”
Later, he added that the pitch would be “low.”
Investigators also cited a September 2023 message in which Clase wrote:
“Chicken number 3… after I kill the first two, play the third.”
Prosecutors interpret the statement as instructions to bettors about which batter would receive a predetermined pitch.
In one notable moment against the Los Angeles Dodgers in May 2025, the alleged plan reportedly failed when Dodgers hitter Andy Pages swung at a pitch outside the strike zone, causing bettors to lose $4,000.
Shortly after the play, a bettor reportedly sent Clase a GIF of a man hanging himself with toilet paper, according to prosecutors. Clase allegedly responded with a sad puppy GIF, despite recording the save in the game.
Financial Stakes Continue to Grow
Beyond potential criminal penalties, the case carries enormous financial consequences.
Clase’s contract includes $6.4 million for the 2026 season, with additional earnings that could reach tens of millions of dollars if he returns to Major League Baseball.
His lawyers had argued strongly for keeping the trial in May, partly to avoid jeopardizing those earnings.
Ortiz, meanwhile, is scheduled to earn about $780,000, the league minimum.
Both pitchers remain on MLB’s restricted list, meaning they are barred from team facilities and games while the investigation continues.
The Cleveland Guardians organization is also waiting for clarity from MLB about whether it will be responsible for paying the players’ salaries next season.
So far, the team says no decision has been communicated.
Baseball Awaits the Courtroom Showdown
For now, the players, their teams, and the league must wait.
The delayed trial means the case will unfold after the baseball season, keeping the scandal hovering over the sport for months.
And as the legal battle intensifies—with co-defendants potentially turning against each other—the upcoming courtroom drama could reveal whether this alleged pitch-rigging scheme was a coordinated conspiracy…
Or a case of one player blaming another to save his own career.
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