Two former Guardians pitchers face trial in New York over MLB conspiracy charges tied to pitch bets

Trial begins in New York

Clase and Ortiz are set to go on trial on Monday over allegations that they took bribes after colluding with gamblers. The bets concerned the speed and outcome of specific pitches in Major League Baseball games.

Judge Kiyo A Matsumoto said last Friday she hoped jury selection could be completed quickly, allowing lawyers to make relatively short opening statements in the afternoon. The case is being heard in New York.

Alleged betting scheme

Clase, 28, was the Guardians’ former closer, while Ortiz was a starting pitcher. Clase is a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year; he had completed the fourth season of a five-year, $20m contract when the charges were revealed in November 2025.

Charges and evidence ruling

On Friday, Matsumoto ruled that prosecutors cannot show jurors evidence that Clase owed $500,000 in US taxes. The judge said prosecutors disclosed that material to defence lawyers several days earlier, well after the deadline for sharing evidence had passed.

League cooperation

Major League Baseball and the Guardians said they have fully cooperated with authorities. MLB said it contacted federal law enforcement after its investigation found unusual betting activity.