Emmanuel Clase, the Cleveland Guardians pitcher at the center of a federal criminal case around allegedly rigged pitches in Major League Baseball games, has been released from custody on a bail of $600,000.
Clase was arrested on Thursday (Nov. 13) at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City after he voluntarily traveled there from the Dominican Republic in order to surrender himself to authorities.
He was released later that day on a $600,000 bond package, secured by his home in the Cleveland area, and guaranteed by his agent, Kelvin Nova.
The bond package was finalized at a hearing in Brooklyn federal court on Thursday afternoon. Clase appeared dressed in a gray suit jacket, black shirt, and jeans.
One dramatic moment happened early on when Clase, who used a Spanish interpreter throughout the proceedings, was asked by Magistrate Judge Joseph Marutollo, "Do you understand what you're being charged with?"
"No. No I don't," Clase answered in English, causing momentary confusion and a short conference with his attorney. After a few moments, he amended his answer and said that he did.
Nova, who was in Las Vegas for the annual MLB general managers meeting, joined by phone to affirm that he would be a surety on the bond for his client of a decade. That phone call was responsible for a lighthearted exchange when the judge asked the agent how much money he made.
It was around $800,000 this year, Nova explained, but bigger things were on the horizon.
"Next year, it should be more," he said.
Exactly as he did with Clase's teammate and co-defendant Luis Ortiz on Wednesday, Marutollo added conditions to Clase's bond that prosecutors did not ask for.
Specifically, the judge added a prohibition on gambling and ordered the ballplayer to be subject to GPS location monitoring. As an argument for the latter, Marutollo cited Clase's "extensive ties to the Dominican Republic," and noted that the evidence against the pitcher was "strong."
Clase's attorney, Ferrara, unsuccessfully argued against the imposition of location monitoring, noting that his client had voluntarily surrendered himself rather than waiting to be extradited from the Dominican Republic.
"This shows that he is no risk of flight," the lawyer explained.
Ferrera also said that Clase was asking for permission for his significant other and young daughter to move to the U.S. for the duration of his case.
Clase is in the middle of a five-year, $20 million contract with the Guardians, with two options: $10 million for 2026 and $13 million the following year. As of last July, he had been placed on non-paid disciplinary leave by his team.
Clase and Ortiz are accused of agreeing to throw specific pitches—slower sliders or intentional balls—after receiving bribes, allowing bettors to place winning “prop” and “parlay” bets using insider information.
Clase is accused of being involved first and of coordinating Ortiz's entry into the conspiracy. Both face wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges, as well as a count of conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. Their next court date in the case is set for Dec. 2.