Emmanuel Clase, a prominent player for the Cleveland Guardians, has entered a plea of not guilty to accusations of participating in a scheme to manipulate betting outcomes during Major League Baseball games.

The FBI apprehended Clase on Thursday upon his return to the United States. He, along with teammate Luis Ortiz, is alleged to have accepted bribes from gamblers in exchange for pitching certain ways to influence game outcomes.

The indictment, which was revealed in Brooklyn on Sunday, claims that the athletes received thousands of dollars to assist two unidentified gamblers from the Dominican Republic in earning at least $460,000. The wagers reportedly focused on the speed and results of specific pitches.

Both players are facing several charges, including wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and bribery. Clase appeared in a Brooklyn court on Thursday, where his lawyer, Michael Ferrara, submitted a not guilty plea on his behalf.

The 27-year-old was released on a $600,000 bond, with conditions including electronic monitoring and a prohibition on gambling. His travels are limited to New York City, Long Island, and Ohio. Clase is scheduled to return to court on December 2.

Clase flew back from the Dominican Republic on Thursday morning. On arrival at New York’s JFK Airport, he was detained by FBI agents. 

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase leaves a federal courthouse in Brooklyn 

The 27-year-old baseball star was arrested by the FBI at JFK airport on Thursday morning

Clase pleaded not guilty to allegations he was part of a scheme to rig bets during MLB games

Ferrara, previously insisted that Clase ‘is innocent of all charges and looks forward to clearing his name in court.’

Ferrara added that the 27-year-old ‘has devoted his life to baseball and doing everything in his power to help his team win.’

Ortiz, meanwhile, was arrested Sunday by the FBI and he pleaded not guilty to the charges during his own arraignment earlier this week. The 26-year-old was released on a $500,000 bond and is due back in court on December 2.

Both Ortiz and Clase have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July, when MLB started investigating what it said was unusually high in-game betting activity when they pitched. Some of the games in question were in April, May and June. 

The pitchers ‘betrayed America’s pastime,’ US Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr said. ‘Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. 

‘When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us.’

Ortiz’s lawyer, Chris Georgalis, said in a statement that his client was innocent and ‘has never, and would never, improperly influence a game – not for anyone and not for anything.’

Earlier this week, Major League Baseball and its sportsbook partners announced a new $200 nationwide betting limit on individual pitches while banning those wagers from parlays to disincentivize potential bad actors.

His fellow baseball star Luis Ortiz arrives for his own arraignment in Brooklyn, New York

Ortiz is one of two Cleveland stars accused of rigging bets placed on pitches in MLB games

Police officers pave the way for the Guardians pitcher as he heads into court in Brooklyn

Included in sportsbooks’ menu of prop bets are lines on single pitches. Betters can wager on whether that pitch will be called a ball or a strike and whether it will be above or below a certain velocity on the radar gun. 

These bets may also inadvertently incentivize gamblers to conspire with players. 

MLB’s announcement came after federal prosecutors claimed to have identified a scheme allegedly involving Ortiz and Clase. 

The scheme generated around $450,000 for gamblers, according to prosecutors.