MLB ‘spot-fixing’ trial set to begin in US court

Former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz go on trial in Brooklyn federal court on November 2, accused of taking bribes in exchange for information that helped gamblers bet on individual pitches. Prosecutors say two gamblers from the pitchers’ native Dominican Republic won at least $460,000 on in-game bets about the speed and outcome of pitches. The indictment alleges Clase began sharing information in 2023 and recruited Ortiz in 2025; both have pleaded not guilty and are on unpaid leave from the club. The jury trial is expected to last about a month, with professional players and baseball executives among the anticipated witnesses.