Major League Baseball is facing one of its most explosive integrity scandals in years.
Federal prosecutors have unsealed a sweeping 29-page indictment accusing Emmanuel Clase, closer for the Cleveland Guardians, of participating in a multi-year illegal sports gambling scheme — including allegedly rigging pitches during the 2024 postseason.
At the center of the case? Coded text messages referencing “roosters” and “chickens,” which prosecutors say were instructions to manipulate pitch outcomes for prop bets.
If proven, the allegations could represent one of the most serious betting scandals in modern MLB history.
The “Rooster” Code: How Prosecutors Say the Scheme Worked
According to federal authorities, Clase used coded language in text messages to communicate when he would throw specific types of pitches to benefit bettors.
One message allegedly read:
“Throw a rock at the first rooster in today’s fight.”
Prosecutors claim Clase understood that to mean he should throw a specific pitch — low and slower than a designated velocity — enabling gamblers to cash prop bets on his first pitch.
Clase allegedly replied:
“Yes, of course, that’s an easy toss to that rooster.”
In another message from September 2023, Clase reportedly instructed:
“Chicken number 3, after I kill the first 2, play the 3.”
Authorities say that meant bettors should wager on the third batter he faced — but only if he entered the game. That day, he did not pitch, preventing the alleged plan from being executed.
Playoff Pitch Under Scrutiny
The indictment goes beyond regular season games.
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York allege that Clase threw a manipulated pitch on October 5, 2024, during Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers.
That allegation raises the stakes dramatically: postseason integrity is sacred in MLB. Any confirmed manipulation during playoff games would reverberate across the league and potentially trigger lifetime consequences.
The Scope of the Allegations
Prosecutors now claim:
- 15 allegedly rigged pitch attempts between 2023–2025
- 3 additional instances where Clase intended to manipulate pitches but did not enter the game
- At least $450,000 in gambling winnings generated by co-conspirators
- Kickbacks allegedly paid to Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz
Another individual, Robinson Vasquez Germosen, is accused of acting as a middleman between Clase and bettors in the Dominican Republic. Prosecutors allege he coordinated wagers and attended 28 Guardians games using tickets allegedly provided by Clase.
Vasquez has been charged with two federal counts and denies wrongdoing. Clase has also denied all allegations.
The Legal Defense: “Innocent and Will Clear His Name”
Clase’s attorney, Michael Ferrara, issued a firm response:
“Emmanuel Clase is innocent and denies all allegations… We look forward to clearing his name at trial.”
Vasquez’s attorney similarly stated:
“The indictment contains allegations, not proof… Mr. Vasquez is completely innocent.”
The trial is currently scheduled for May 4 in Brooklyn, New York.
Why This Case Could Shake MLB
Sports betting has exploded in popularity since legalization expanded across the United States. With that growth comes unprecedented scrutiny over athlete conduct.
If federal prosecutors can prove that a star closer deliberately altered pitch velocity or placement for gambling profit, it could lead to:
- Criminal convictions
- Permanent MLB suspension
- League-wide policy overhauls
- Increased monitoring of player communications
- Stricter prop-bet regulations
MLB has historically taken gambling violations extremely seriously, dating back to the league’s most infamous betting scandal in the 20th century.
The Integrity Question
The core issue isn’t just whether a pitch was thrown low.
It’s whether fans can trust that what they’re watching is unscripted competition.
Pitch-by-pitch prop bets — such as first-pitch velocity or strike outcome — are uniquely vulnerable because they involve micro-moments in a game. Prosecutors allege that bettors exploited this by wagering on specific pitch characteristics rather than final game results.
This case also highlights:
- The role of encrypted or coded language
- International betting coordination
- The growing intersection between athletes and gambling markets
What Happens Next?
As investigators continue analyzing pitch data and betting records, the number of alleged suspicious plays has already grown from nine to fifteen.
If more evidence emerges, the case could expand further — potentially implicating additional individuals or games.
For now, the allegations remain unproven in court.
But the implications are enormous.
Because if even one postseason pitch was intentionally manipulated, it would represent not just a federal crime — but a fracture in the trust that underpins professional baseball.
And that’s a story far bigger than a single “rooster” text message.
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