MLB and its authorized sportsbooks announce limits on pitch wagers, citing fear of abuse

Major League Baseball said Monday that authorized sportsbooks will limit the amount of money that can be wagered on pitches, a day after charges were announced against two players accused of pitch-rigging

Major League Baseball said Monday that authorized sportsbooks will limit the amount of money that can be wagered on pitches, a day after charges were announced against two players accused of pitch-rigging.

The changes “cap wagers on pitch-level markets at $200 and exclude those bets from parlays,” and it will affect 98% of the U.S. betting market, the league said in a statement.

On Sunday, a federal indictment was announced against two Cleveland Guardians players, closer Emmanuel Clase and starting pitcher Luis Leandro, in connection with an alleged scheme to rig pitches to impact sports bets. Attorneys for both have said their clients are innocent of wrongdoing.

In Monday's statement, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league will continue working to protect baseball's integrity.

“We look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders, including licensed sports betting operators, elected officials and regulators, to ensure we are always protecting the integrity of our game,” he said.