The federal trial of Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz continued in New York, revealing intriguing details. A key government witness, Luis de Aza Baez, acknowledged placing numerous bets, profiting significantly by betting on the speed of Clase’s pitches during the 2023 MLB season. Baez claimed he had inside information, according to ESPN.
Clase faces allegations of rigging 18 pitches over three seasons, allegedly collaborating with bettors.
Questionable Communications
De Aza Baez mentioned that communication about pitches became complicated after he inquired about Clase’s pitches the following season. “What was going on with [Shohei] Ohtani, there was no more information like that,” he testified.
In March 2024, although Ohtani did not face accusations like Clase and Ortiz, he was scrutinized for a significant financial transaction to an illegal gambling operation. His interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, admitted to embezzling nearly $17 million from Ohtani for gambling debts, resulting in prison for Mizuhara while Ohtani was exonerated.
Inside the “Uber Inc.” Group Chat
Baez worked as an Uber driver and participated in a group chat named “Uber Inc.,” where Enoc Pena, a connection to Clase, shared tips in 2023. Pena initiated the chat with Uber drivers in the Massachusetts area.
Prosecutors presented a text message believed to be from Clase to Pena on September 30, 2023, before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers. The text discussed “killing the first two chickens,” a coded reference to betting on a pitch against the third batter, contingent on Clase securing the first two outs. Clase never participated in the game, which ended in an 8-0 victory for Detroit. Clase’s defense claimed the message referenced cockfighting, common in his Dominican Republic homeland.
Baez and Clase were acquaintances, appearing in a video enjoying dominoes on a Boston Red Sox-logoed table. However, Baez testified only Pena provided him with pitch details, not Clase.
Trial Accusations and Defense
Classed and Ortiz, a former Guardians pitcher, have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy of wire fraud, sports bribery, and money laundering. Todd Spodek, an attorney for Vásquez, stated, “Our defense is the same today as it was in opening: This is a case about big talk and small bets. We are confident leaving that judgment to the jury.”
Baez agreed to forfeit $69,000 gained from the bets, committing to “tell the truth” in exchange for dismissal of the federal wire fraud charge.
Before Baez’s testimony, former Guardians catcher Bo Naylor also testified. He confirmed calling one of the allegedly manipulated pitches seen during the trial, admitting surprise that such specific pitch bets existed. Prosecutors alleged that Clase often spoke with bettors during games, a violation of MLB rules.
Bettors reportedly made $400,000 from wagers on Clase’s pitches between 2023 and 2025, with Ortiz purportedly joining the scheme in mid-2025.
Clase, previously one of MLB’s top closers, recorded a 1.21 ERA in 2024 and finished third in AL Cy Young voting. His performance declined to a 3.80 ERA in 2025 amid the investigation.