A federal judge Tuesday set jury selection in the federal conspiracy, money laundering, and sports bribery case against suspended Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for May 4, 2026.
Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto set the date in a status conference hearing attended by the pitchers — both of whom remain on administrative leave — and ordered another for 12 p.m., Jan. 15, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Sherman told Matsumoto that no plea agreement offers have been extended to Clase or Ortiz. Federal prosecutors are currently in the process of disclosing discovery materials to the defense. The Athletic reported that a terabyte of material has already been provided to Clase’s legal team by prosecutors and that Ortiz will receive the same soon.
Sherman estimated that the trial would require roughly two weeks.
Timeline of sports betting scandals in the United States since 2018.
Clase and Ortiz are the first Major League Baseball players accused of manipulating game outcomes since the 1919 Chicago White Sox team that conspired to throw the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.
Inside the Clase, Ortiz accusations
According to a federal indictment, Clase (upper right), one of the most dominant closers in Major League Baseball, conspired with gamblers from 2023-25 to intentionally manipulate the speed or ball/strike locations of pitches in multiple games for the gambling benefit of himself and other co-defendants. Clase is also accused of recruiting Ortiz into the scheme this season. Both pitchers were paid to manipulate the pitches, and according to the indictment, Clase also gave his co-conspirators tens of thousands of dollars to bet.
Clase, 27, pleaded not guilty to federal charges of wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy on Nov. 13. He was was released on $600,000 bond secured with property he owns in Cleveland, and with the help of his agent, Kelvin Nola. Three of his charges include 20-year maximums. His travel is restricted via monitoring to New York City, Long Island, and Ohio.
Ortiz, 26, entered the same plea to the same charges on Nov. 12.
Magistrate Judge Joseph Marutollo at that time released Ortiz on $500,000 bond and restricted his travel, via monitoring, to New York City, Massachusetts, and Ohio.
clase_and_ortiz_indictment
