Attorneys clash over role of key bettor as jurors hear first witnesses in Clase trial
Facing charges on conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, Cleveland Guardians Pitcher Emmanuel Clase clasped his hands together by his waist as a jury entered the courtroom for opening statements in his pitch rigging trial.
Sitting at a defense table with a powder blue sportscoat and white button-down shirt, Clase locked eyes on Wednesday with a jury that will decide his fate over the coming weeks. Federal prosecutors accuse the two-time American League Reliever of the Year of rigging 18 pitches as part of a larger betting conspiracy. Luis Ortiz, another Guardians pitcher, is accused of rigging two additional pitches during the 2025 MLB season. Since their arrests last fall, both pitchers maintain their innocence.
Inside a famed Brooklyn courthouse reputed for trying major gambling cases, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Urquiola delivered the opening statement for the government. The pitchers hail from the Dominican Republican, a Caribbean nation where baseball, cockfighting and “Seven Meat Stew,” are a staple of the culture.
From the outset, Urquiola did not mince her words, accusing the pitchers of acting as “cheaters.” Betting on rooster fighting, known more commonly as Pelea de gallos on the island, is completely legal in the nation. While the government accused Clase of speaking in code to camouflage the nature of the pitches, the defense described numerous interactions on the vicious sport as an alibi.
These were “not code words,” but “ordinary conversations about rooster fighting,” countered Michael Bronson, an attorney for Clase.
Based on the impassioned openings from both sides, the role of one bettor could represent an integral puzzle piece in the outcome of the trial.
Cockfighting or micro-betting?
Arguably the most compelling moments of the opening statements centred around descriptions of an individual named Enoc Pena, an apparent bettor listed in court filings as a potential witness for the government. While a person referenced in filings as “Bettor 1,” appears to have allegedly served as Clase’s principal gambling contact,
defense attorneys sought to discredit Pena in Wednesday’s opening remarks.
Samuel E. Landes, an attorney for Guardians P Luis Ortiz, described Pena as a person who allegedly lied on tax returns, loan applications and immigration forms. Last week, attorneys for the government indicated in a hearing that they may opt not to call Pena during trial.
Pena, according to Landes, has placed more than 7,000 bets amounting to at least $725,000 over the course of his gambling exploits. In a superseding indictment dated 12 Feb. 2026, the individual described as “Bettor-1,” disseminated a screenshot to other gamblers that contained a conversation with Clase.
One portion of the conversation contains a reference from Clase to “Chicken Number 3,” according to court filings. “After I kill the first 2, play the 3,” Clase wrote, adding, “And if I can’t kill it, don’t play it. I have to kill the first 2.”
The defense believes the sequence is a reference to cockfighting, while the government believes the conversations are indicative of coded language.
Problem gambling implications
Nevertheless, the defense attacked the credibility of the bettor. The government’s case “sits on Pena,” and “you can’t trust Pena,” Landes told the jury. If Pena does not testify during the trial it will leave a “gaping hole,” in the government’s case, Landes added.
Earlier, Bronson characterised Pena as a compulsive gambler who deceived his client over the course of their interactions.
While Pena appears to be a cooperating witness, Urquiola did not reference Pena in her remarks.
Beyond Pena, Urquiola indicated that the government intends to call a forensic accountant who will testify that the defendants sought to conceal a series of alleged kickbacks, she explained.
“The defendants actions are criminal and that’s why we are here,” she told the jury.
World Series champ testifies
Of the rigged pitches allegedly tossed by Clase, prosecutors accused the reliever of delivering all but one in the regular season. The lone postseason pitch occurred in Game 1 of the 2024 American League Divisional Series when the Guardians faced the Detroit Tigers. Clase entered the game in the ninth inning with a 7-0 lead, a rare spot for the All-Star pitcher.
There, he delivered an opening ball to Matt Vierling, the pitch in question. Clase closed the sequence with three straight strikes, including two cutters of 100+ mph. He then retired the next two Tigers to complete the win.
On Thursday, Milwaukee Brewers catcher Bo Naylor testified out of order as a defense witness. Naylor, a Guardians catcher from 2022-26, was acquired by the World Series champion Brewers in August in a four-player trade.
Naylor appeared caught off guard by Clase’s pitch against the Tigers that caromed off the dirt and ricocheted off his glove, bouncing to the backstop. The 93 MPH slider landed low and away, causing Naylor to recoil before lifting his right leg. Naylor testified Thursday ahead of his wedding this weekend in Italy, New York Post producer Erica Block reported.
After consulting with attorneys from both sides, U.S. District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto told a jury earlier this week that the trial may last through early-December.