Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase released on $600,000 after pleading not guilty to illegal sports betting probe

Cleveland Guardians' Emmanuel Clase pleaded not guilty in a Brooklyn federal court and was released on bail for $600,000 for bribery charges related to gambling on Thursday. The Dominican Republic professional, who voluntarily appeared in court, was arrested upon his arrival at John F. Kennedy Airport.

U.S. prosecutors indicted Clase and his fellow Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz on Sunday for charges related to fixing specific pitches that helped gamblers to win money on their bets. Ortiz, who was in Boston at the time, was taken into custody and pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

Clase, the Guardians' franchise leader in saves, didn't answer the judge apart from "yes" or "no" translated to him in Spanish. He also didn't take any questions from the media. The police have seized his passport, and there were travel restrictions placed on him from New York to Ohio.

Both pitchers were placed on administrative leave by the MLB in July of this year when allegations of them influencing microbets emerged. These microbets involved various parlays like the pitch's velocity and/or whether it would land in the strike zone.

The indictment on Sunday noted that Clase had been in contact with gamblers since 2023. Only from this season had he been accepting commissions. In July, he roped in Ortiz in the scheme. Together, they are said to have helped two unnamed gamblers from the Dominican Republic earn $400,000 in the bets.

Emmanuel Clase was set to earn $6.4 million in 2026 part of his five-year $20 million contract he had signed with the club. The two-time American League Reliever of the Year had two $10 million club options for 2027 and 2028 attached to his contract. Ortiz, in his pre-arbitration year, earned $782,600 in 2025.

Emmanuel Clase's lawyer pleads his innocence

Emmanuel Clase's lawyer, Michael Ferrera, claimed his client's innocence, noting his voluntary appearance in court instead of the federal prosecutors requiring extradition methods.

"His actions speak louder than words. He poses no risk of flight," Ferrara said during the bail appeal. "He intends to stay through this."

The Guardians' pitchers are currently charged under four separate charges: wire fraud conspiracy, which could lead to 20 years in jail, honest services for wire fraud conspiracy leading to 20 years, money laundering conspiracy for 20 years, and conspiracy to influence sporting events for bribery for 5 years. Their next court appearance is set for December 2.