MLB pushed for answers to illegal gambling probes

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Senate lawmakers sent a letter to the MLB commissioner demanding answers on how the league “addresses alleged game-fixing and threats to the integrity of baseball.”

The Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., sent the letter to Manfred on Monday more than a week after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted for their alleged roles in a gambling scheme.

Cruz and Cantwell also took questions from NBA commissioner Adam Silver after three people in the league were arrested for their roles in separate schemes.

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred opens the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy on July 13, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

In the letter, the lawmakers pointed to the case of former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Tucupita Marcano. He was banned for life for placing nearly 400 bets on baseball games. MLB said at the time that 25 bets involved bets on Pirates games while Marcano was on the roster. The pirates said there was “no evidence” that games were compromised.

“Which begs the question: How did MLB catch Marcano and ban him for life, but fail to notice that Clase had allegedly rigged fields for two years? The integrity of the game is paramount. MLB has every interest in ensuring baseball is free of influence and manipulation,” the letter read. “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 fulfilling its responsibility to protect America’s pastime. To that end, as described below, we are requesting MLB provide documents and information on how it is addressing the allegations against Clase and Ortiz, as well as its broader tampering approach.

“An isolated incident of game-rigging may be dismissed as an aberration, but the emergence of manipulation across multiple leagues suggests a deeper, systemic vulnerability. These developments warrant a thorough investigation by Congress before problems of misconduct become more widespread.”

The committee asks for answers to six questions by December 5 at the latest.

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Emmanuel Clase, left, and Luis Ortiz, were indicted in a federal gambling investigation on Nov. 9, 2025. (IMAGIN)

“How and when was MLB made aware of suspicious betting and game-fixing activity by Emmanuel Clase or Luis Ortiz? Provide sufficient documents to support your answer?”
“Show documents sufficient to show MLB’s policies and procedures regarding sports betting, gambling or game-fixing by MLB or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees or owners.
“Write a list of any investigation of an MLB or affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees or owners for violations of MLB rules regarding sports betting, gambling or game-fixing or related criminal conduct between January 1, 2020 and today.
“Show all documents related to any investigation listed in response to Request 3, including: “Procedures and policies used to conduct any applicable investigation;” Documents received by third parties or otherwise collected by MLB during any applicable investigation; and “Findings, conclusions, and actions taken as a result of any applicable investigation.
“Procedures and policies used to conduct any relevant investigation;
“Documents received by third parties or otherwise collected by MLB during any relevant investigation; and
“Findings, conclusions and actions taken as a result of any relevant investigation.
“Provide communications between MLB and any sports betting platform or sports gambling integrity monitor regarding suspicious or flagged sports bets:”Placed by MLB’s or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees or owners; or”Placed on MLB games or suggestions related to MLB games, players or teams.
“Posted by MLB’s or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees or owners; or
“Placed on MLB games or suggestions related to MLB games, players or teams.
“Explain the extent to which MLB has addressed and plans to further address the alleged instances of sports betting, gambling, and game fraud, including: “How, if at all, MLB plans to revise its rules, policies, procedures, or enforcement structure; “How, if at all, MLB plans to revise or enforce its cell phone use while auditing games; players, employees, coaches, and owners do not have ties to organized crime.”
“How, if at all, does MLB plan to revise its rules, policies, procedures or enforcement structure;
“How, if at all, does MLB plan to revise or enforce its rules regarding cell phone use during games; and
“How MLB Plans to Ensure Players, Staff, Coaches and Owners Have No Ties to Organized Crime.”

Pakinomist Digital reached out to MLB for comment.

Clase and Ortiz were arrested and appeared in federal court in New York last week.

Clase, a three-time All-Star, pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted bribes to help players win money at his seats. Ortiz also pleaded not guilty to the charges.