Guardians Pitchers Face Rigging Trial in Federal Court

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are on trial in Brooklyn federal court, where prosecutors allege the pair accepted bribes to manipulate specific pitches for the benefit of gamblers. Opening statements began this week in a case centered on accusations of wire fraud, sports bribery, and money laundering.

Defense Witness Testimony on Pitch Selection

Former Guardians catcher Bo Naylor testified Thursday that he did not believe the pitches cited by the government were unusual, according to Yahoo Sports. Called as a defense witness, Naylor reviewed video replays of deliveries from 2023 and 2025 that prosecutors allege were rigged. He told the court that these pitches, including sliders thrown low and away, appeared to be standard strategic choices based on pregame scouting reports.

Slider low and away, Naylor said, noting that such pitches were identified as a weapon against specific hitters. Naylor, who caught 14 of Ortiz’s 16 starts in 2025, stated he was unaware that sportsbooks offered markets on individual pitch outcomes until the investigation became public. He added that he did not suspect any breach of trust by his former teammates. Naylor, who was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in August 2026, testified ahead of his own wedding.

Naylor was behind the plate for seven of the 18 pitches Clase is accused of rigging across 17 games between May 19, 2023, and May 28, 2025. He maintained that none of these deliveries appeared remarkable or out of the ordinary during gameplay.

Prosecution Allegations of a Betting Scheme

Assistant U.S. Prosecutors allege that Clase, a 28-year-old three-time All-Star, began the scheme in 2023 and later recruited Ortiz, 27, in 2025. While defense attorneys suggested these terms related to cockfighting, which is legal in the Dominican Republic, prosecutors asserted they were used to facilitate gambling.

The indictment claims that bettors tied to the scheme won at least $450,000. Prosecutors introduced evidence of geolocation pings from DraftKings accounts, with Joel Trella, director of the sportsbook’s special investigations unit, testifying that 160 bets were placed from Clase’s residence. Government witness Edward Canario also testified that he placed wagers based on information provided by co-defendant Luis Arismendy Paca Méndez, specifically targeting Clase’s first pitch of the ninth inning.

Defense Arguments Regarding Key Bettor Enoc Pena

Attorneys for the defendants have sought to discredit Enoc Pena, an alleged participant in the scheme whom the government previously listed as a potential witness. Michael Bronson, an attorney for Clase, described Pena as an admitted gambling addict who lied to get what he wanted. Bronson argued that Pena did not see Clase as a peer, but rather as a mark. According to the defense, Pena brought food to Clase and provided airport transportation in the Dominican Republic to gain favor, while simultaneously losing over 200 bets on Clase’s pitches.

Samuel Landes, representing Ortiz, argued that his client was victimized by Pena’s claims. Landes pointed to a $5,000 payment mentioned by the government, questioning why a player with a $782,600 salary would risk his career for such an amount. Why would Luis Ortiz throw all that away for $5,000? Landes asked the jury. While Pena was initially identified as a possible witness, prosecutors indicated last week that they might not call him to testify.

Trial Continues Until December 2026 for Indicted Pitchers

The trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto, is expected to continue until December 3, 2026. The proceedings also involve a third defendant, Robinson Vasquez Germosén, who is standing trial alongside the two pitchers.

Clase, who was in the fourth year of a five-year, $20 million contract at the time of his arrest, and Ortiz have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Both players were placed on non-disciplinary leave without pay following their indictment in November 2025. Major League Baseball has since implemented a $200 cap on micro-betting for pitch-level markets and excluded these wagers from parlays.

Earlier coverage: Lawyers Say Clase and Ortiz Were Exploited in Pitch-Rigging Trial

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