U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have sent a request for information to Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Robert Manfred following allegations of gambling corruption involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz.
The senators expressed concern about the integrity of American sports in light of recent indictments. “The integrity of the game is paramount,” the Senators wrote. “MLB has every interest in ensuring baseball is free from influence and manipulation. But in light of these recent developments, MLB must clearly demonstrate how it is meeting its responsibility to safeguard America’s pastime.”
These allegations come shortly after similar accusations were made against coaches and players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The senators had previously requested documents from the NBA regarding those cases and are now seeking details from MLB on how it handles alleged game manipulation.
“An isolated incident of game rigging might be dismissed as an aberration, but the emergence of manipulation across multiple leagues suggests a deeper, systemic vulnerability,” they wrote. “These developments warrant thorough scrutiny by Congress before misconduct issues become more widespread.”
In their letter, Cantwell and Cruz referenced historical context by noting that game fixing allegations date back over a century to the 1919 World Series scandal involving eight Chicago White Sox players who were banned for life despite being acquitted in court.
According to prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, Clase and Ortiz allegedly manipulated games for profit over several years. Specific incidents described include Clase informing friends about pitch speeds before games so they could place bets, resulting in significant winnings. The indictment alleges that between 2023 and 2025, fraudulent bets placed with insider knowledge netted at least $400,000.
Additionally, Clase reportedly recruited Ortiz into the scheme during 2025. Both are accused of deliberately throwing balls instead of strikes while accomplices placed successful bets based on this information.
The letter also compares this case to other betting incidents within MLB. In 2024, utility infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban after placing hundreds of bets totaling more than $150,000; however, no evidence was found that Marcano compromised or manipulated any games he played in.
The senators questioned why MLB was able to detect Marcano’s activities through new monitoring measures but failed to identify alleged rigging by Clase over a two-year period.
“As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, we share that interest. But in light of these recent developments, MLB must clearly demonstrate how it is meeting its responsibility to safeguard America’s pastime,” they wrote.
Cantwell and Cruz have asked MLB for written responses by December 5, 2025. They requested documentation on when MLB became aware of suspicious activity by Clase or Ortiz; league policies regarding betting or game rigging; records related to investigations since January 1, 2020; communications with sports betting platforms about suspicious wagers; and explanations for how MLB plans to address future instances—including possible rule changes concerning cellphone use during games or preventing ties to organized crime.
“The Standing Rules of the Senate provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation the authority and duty to ‘review and study, on a continuing basis’ issues relating to sports and commerce,” their letter stated.
