Emmanuel Clase, the former All-Star relief pitcher caught in a scandal, allegedly discussed placing bets through text messages, though not directly related to baseball, as revealed by a bettor linked to the suspected operation.

In a shocking sports betting indictment from November, Clase and fellow Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz were implicated. According to court documents recently made public and reviewed by the New York Times, Clase reportedly exchanged texts concerning bets connected to his legal rooster-fighting business in the Dominican Republic.

Lawyers for Clase and Ortiz argued in a joint filing that Clase is a “well-known breeder and participant in rooster fighting,” suggesting that prosecutors misunderstood their conversations involving roosters and horses as something illicit.

The anonymous bettor also mentioned that he placed bets on Clase’s pitching, describing himself merely as a “passionate sports fan” who is familiar with Clase’s pitching style, as stated in the documents.

These new revelations conflict with federal charges claiming that Clase and Ortiz provided inside information to bettors regarding their pitching strategies in specific scenarios, enabling the group to secure significant winnings from proposition bets.

Eastern District of New York prosecutors allege that Clase’s activity dates back to May 19, 2023, when a co-conspirator won $27,000 on a prop bet that the pitcher would throw a specific pitch over 94.95 mph.

Prop bets allow gamblers to target specific moments inside a game — down to individual pitches — making them especially vulnerable to inside information.

Over the next two years, the bettors tied to Clase pocketed over $400,000, with the right-hander allegedly funding the scheme and receiving “bribe and kickback payments.”

At one point, the alleged plan went awry when, during a May 28, 2025, game against the Dodgers, batter Andy Pages swung and missed at a pitch Clase purportedly intended to throw outside the strike zone — costing himself and the co-conspirators thousands of dollars.

“Approximately 20 minutes after Bettor-1 lost the wager on May 28, 2025, Bettor-1 sent a text message to the defendant EMMANUEL CLASE DE LA CRUZ a gif image of a man hanging himself with toilet paper,” the indictment stated. “Even though the Cleveland Guardians won the game, approximately 10 minutes later, CLASE responded to Bettor-1 with a gif image of a sad puppy dog face.”

Clase, who enjoyed a historic 2024 campaign with a 0.61 ERA and American League-best 47 saves, registered 24 saves and a 3.23 ERA last season before being placed on leave.

Ortiz, 26, allegedly joined the plot in June 2025, with bettors winning at least $60,000 in June from gambling on pitches he’d communicated, per the indictment.

His lawyer, Chris Georgalis, denied any wrongdoing in a statement, saying Ortiz “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game.”

The duo was charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and money laundering conspiracy by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn.

“[T]he defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services,” Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement. “They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime.”

The pitchers shared a chilly handshake during a December court appearance and were ordered to return to court Jan. 15.

Jury selection was tentatively set for May 4, with the trial expected to kick off May 11.

If convicted of all charges, the hurlers face up to 65 years in jail.