CLASE ACT: Indicted Guardians Star Alleged to Have Fixed 48 Games
Financial damages are expected to climb.
The federal pitch-rigging case against Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase exploded Thursday with shocking, new details.
Court filings allege the All-Star manipulated outcomes in at least 48 separate games over the last two seasons.
The new total reveals a scheme far more extensive than the handful of games cited when the initial indictment was unsealed last November.
Prosecutors now allege that Clase’s pattern of intentional balls and velocity manipulation was a consistent part of his routine from May 2023 through July 2025.
READ: DOJ Indictment Of Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Clase, Ortiz Reveals Shocking Details
According to the unsealed Thursday documents, the Department of Justice identified 48 games where Clase allegedly threw suspect pitches to benefit a circle of bettors.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 17: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth inning at Oracle Park on June 17, 2025 in San Francisco, California. The Guardians won the game 3-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The filings claim Clase coordinated with gamblers via text message to agree on specific prop bet outcomes, such as throwing the first pitch for a ball or ensuring a fastball clocked in below a certain speed.
The update follows reports from David Payne Purdum and Jeff Passan, who described the volume of games as staggering.
The fallout puts a massive asterisk on the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Clase is accused of compromising nearly 15% of his total appearances during the period in question.
Federal authorities in the Eastern District of New York have charged Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud and bribery to influence a sporting contest.
While Ortiz is allegedly linked to a few instances in June 2025, Clase is painted as the leader who allegedly bankrolled some of the bets himself.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 12: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers during Game Five of the Division Series at Progressive Field on October 12, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Financial damages are expected to climb.
While previous estimates placed fraudulent winnings at $400,000, the 48-game tally could push that figure into the millions.
Clase is currently free on a $600,000 bond and under GPS monitoring. He has maintained his innocence. His legal team stated the pitcher looks forward to clearing his name. Selection for the federal jury trial is set to begin May 4.
If convicted on all counts, Clase faces a maximum of 65 years in federal prison.
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