Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and right-handed starter Luis L. Ortiz face serious legal troubles after being indicted on charges arising from alleged gambling misconduct linked to manipulating bets on individual pitches.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York disclosed these charges recently, revealing that Ortiz has been detained in Boston while Clase remains at large. They have been charged with conspiracy related to wire fraud, bribery in sporting contests, and money laundering.

• “The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.” * The indictment highlights that if convicted, they could each face a maximum of 65 years in prison.

Furthermore, bets made possible by their communication during games reportedly led to significant financial gains — approximately $450,000.

The Guardians organization issued a statement confirming their intention to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

This case follows other instances of misconduct in major US sports, raising critical questions about gambling regulations and integrity within professional leagues.