MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 04: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on during warm ups prior to the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matt Krohn/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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The Cleveland Guardians remain in the hunt for a postseason berth as the regular season enters its final stretch, with the club attempting to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Guardians closer Cade Smith summarized the team’s outlook this week as the team won a four-game set with the rival Detroit Tigers.
“We’re in the hunt,” Smith told reporters on Sunday, according to USA Today’s Gabe Lacques. “The weather’s starting to turn. It’s starting to feel like fall is coming. It’s starting to feel like we’re chasing playoff baseball.”
But as the Guardians look to play some October baseball this year, it’s possible that Smith and company will miss one of the dominant arms that carried their bullpen for several season, who has since been removed from the roster amid a stunning gambling scandal.
Cleveland Guardians’ Former Superstar Emmanuel Clase Hit With Harsh Legal Setback
Three-time Guardians All-Star Emmanuel Clase was once one of the most dominant relievers in baseball and became a central figure in the Guardians’ bullpen after arriving from the Texas Rangers in a 2019 trade involving Corey Kluber. He quickly established himself as arguably the best closer in the sport.
His 2024 season was particularly remarkable. Clase posted a 0.61 ERA and led the American League with 47 saves, ultimately winning his second AL Reliever of the Year Award. He also became Cleveland’s all-time franchise leader in saves.
But his trajectory changed dramatically the following year.
Clase was placed on paid leave in July 2025 amid an MLB investigation into sports-betting allegations. Federal prosecutors later indicted Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz in November 2025, alleging a scheme involving individual pitches. Clase pleaded not guilty after being arrested at JFK Airport.
On Tuesday, Clase received a harsh update on the ongoing case.
“A judge has denied former Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase’s and Luis Ortiz’s motion to dismiss their case that is centered on an alleged betting scheme involving individual pitches,” ESPN’s David Payne Purdum reported.
The ruling means the case will continue rather than being dismissed at this stage. The allegations remain allegations, with Clase entitled to the presumption of innocence as the legal proceedings continue.
For Cleveland, however, the damage to Clase’s standing within the organization has already been profound.
Cleveland Guardians Have Moved On From Former Superstar Emmanuel Clase
The contrast between Clase’s status before the allegations and his current situation is difficult to overlook.
The right-hander had developed into arguably the most important reliever in franchise history, combining overpowering stuff with extraordinary consistency. His 150th save for Cleveland in 2024 moved him past Cody Allen for the franchise record.
A year later, his relationship with the organization had changed dramatically.
“One year later, mention Clase’s name near a Guardians executive and their face will turn a shade of ill green or irate red, as they think about the decisions made and the disrespect shown to teammates and the organization,” Zack Meisel wrote for The Athletic.
While Cleveland’s current players chase playoff baseball, Clase’s baseball future remains tied to the outcome of a case that has already transformed the legacy of a former Guardians superstar.
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