The world of Major League Baseball is reeling from a scandal that reaches beyond the diamond, into the shadowy realm of illegal gambling. Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, now find themselves at the center of a federal investigation, accused of participating in a complex betting scheme.
Prosecutors allege that intercepted messages between the players contain coded language disguising wagers on baseball games. The government claims references to animals, logistics, and everyday routines were actually a sophisticated system to conceal illicit sports betting activity.
However, Ortiz and Clase vehemently deny these accusations. Their defense rests on a surprising claim: the messages in question weren’t about baseball at all, but about a completely different kind of gambling – rooster fighting.
Both players hail from the Dominican Republic, where the breeding and fighting of roosters is a culturally ingrained, and partially legal, pastime. This connection forms the bedrock of their defense, suggesting the prosecution has fundamentally misinterpreted their communications.
A key witness, identified only as “Bettor 1,” has provided sworn testimony supporting the players’ claims. This individual explicitly states that Clase never shared information about his pitching strategy to influence bets, and that their conversations revolved solely around rooster fights.
The defense argues that the prosecution’s assertion of “coded language” is a deliberate misrepresentation. They insist the words used in the intercepted messages meant exactly what they appeared to say – discussions about breeding, training, and wagering on roosters.
Affidavits confirm that “Bettor 1” did indeed engage in conversations with Clase regarding gambling, but specifically on rooster fights within the Dominican Republic. This detail is crucial to the defense’s narrative, painting a picture of a separate, legal activity.
As the legal battle unfolds, both players remain on paid leave from the MLB. The scandal has already prompted significant changes within the industry, leading to new restrictions on betting markets focused on individual pitcher performance.
The case is far from over. Jury selection is slated to begin in May 2026, and the court will ultimately decide whether the government can prove its interpretation of the alleged coded language holds up under intense scrutiny. The future of these two athletes, and the integrity of the game, hangs in the balance.
The implications extend beyond the fate of Ortiz and Clase. This case has forced a reckoning within MLB and the sports betting world, prompting a reevaluation of how gambling on the sport is regulated and monitored.
