Witness Testifies Pitch Tips Stopped After Ohtani Scandal in Guardians Trial
Witness Testifies Pitch Tips Stopped After Ohtani Scandal in Guardians Trial
An Uber driver acting as a government witness testified in federal court that his access to inside information regarding Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase stopped after the gambling controversy involving Shohei Ohtani erupted. The testimony highlights the shifting dynamics of alleged insider betting within Major League Baseball.
A government witness in the federal trial of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz testified that his access to inside information about pitches ceased following the gambling scandal surrounding Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
Luis de Aza Baez, an Uber driver who served as a key witness for the prosecution, told jurors on Friday that he received betting tips regarding Clase’s performances from Enoc Pena, a former associate of the reliever. De Aza Baez acknowledged that he "almost always" won his bets on Clase’s pitches during the 2023 season.
However, when De Aza Baez attempted to solicit information again during the 2024 season, he was rebuffed. He testified that Pena informed him that due to the ongoing controversy surrounding Ohtani, "there was no more information like that."
The reference to Ohtani points to a separate but related scandal that erupted in March 2024. Reports revealed that millions of dollars had been transferred from the Dodgers superstar’s bank account to an illegal bookmaking operation. Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million to pay off gambling debts and is currently serving a 57-month prison sentence. Ohtani was cleared of any wrongdoing.
De Aza Baez testified that he was introduced to Clase by Pena and fellow co-defendant Robinson Vasquez Germosen at a birthday party on April 28, 2023. He clarified that Clase never provided tips directly; all information came through Pena via a group chat titled "Uber Inc.," which included other drivers.
In exchange for testifying truthfully and agreeing to forfeit $69,000 in winnings tied to Clase’s performances, the prosecution agreed to drop a related wire fraud charge against De Aza Baez.
Clase, Ortiz, and Vasquez have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following Friday’s hearing, Todd Spodek, attorney for Vasquez, told ESPN that the defense maintains its opening argument: "This is a case about big talk and small bets." He added, "We’re confident leaving that judgment to the jury."
The trial continues Thursday in Brooklyn.
G.Grethen--LiLuX
