Major League Baseball has announced new restrictions on pitch betting with a maximum wager of $200 per pitch and exclusion from parlays. This decision comes after two Cleveland Guardians players were charged with manipulating pitches for gamblers. MLB stated that the limitations were established in agreement with sportsbook operators covering over 98% of the U.S. betting market. The league emphasized that pitch-level bets pose integrity risks due to their focus on individual events that can be influenced by a single player, potentially impacting the game’s outcome.
The league explained that the measures aim to minimize the risk of misconduct in pitch-level markets by imposing strict bet limits and prohibiting parlaying such bets. Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz from the Cleveland Guardians were indicted on charges of receiving bribes to alter their pitches. The indictment includes wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
Ortiz’s lawyer maintained his client’s innocence, stating that he has never engaged in improper conduct to influence game outcomes. Clase’s attorney also asserted his client’s innocence, highlighting his dedication to the sport. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act paved the way for states to legalize sports betting, leading to increased scrutiny on such activities.
Ortiz appeared in a federal court in Boston, where he was granted release under certain conditions, including surrendering his passport, travel restrictions, and posting a substantial bond. The indictment alleged that Ortiz and Clase accepted payments to assist gamblers in winning bets placed on specific pitch outcomes. Both players have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July, following MLB’s investigation into suspicious betting patterns during their games.
MLB alerted federal authorities about the irregular betting activity, collaborating fully with the ongoing investigations. The Cleveland Guardians expressed cooperation with law enforcement and MLB throughout the inquiry. The recent charges against the players mark another significant development in the crackdown on illicit betting in professional sports, following a similar sweep in the NBA involving multiple high-profile figures.