Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were referred to as "cheaters" during testimony at a fraud trial, according to an Associated Press report by Larry Neumeister on November 4, 2026.
The characterization emerged in court proceedings, though the source material does not specify the nature of the fraud case, the context of the testimony, or which party made the allegation. Both Clase and Ortiz are relief pitchers for the Guardians; Clase has been one of Major League Baseball's most dominant closers in recent seasons, while Ortiz has seen limited major-league action.
No charges against the players have been reported in connection with the trial. The Guardians organization and representatives for the pitchers have not issued public statements on the matter as of the AP report date.
