Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase pleads not guilty in alleged pitch-rigging scheme

Cleveland Guardians star pitcher Emmanuel Clase appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon to plead not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged sports betting scheme

Cleveland Guardians star pitcher Emmanuel Clase appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon to plead not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged sports betting scheme.

Fresh off a trip from the Dominican Republic, Clase was arrested by the FBI at 7 a.m. ET upon arrival at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, hours before his U.S. district court appearance in Brooklyn.

Clase, 27, a closer and three-time All-Star, is accused alongside teammate Luis Ortiz of taking several thousand dollars in bribes to help bettors in the Dominican Republic. Those sports gamblers won $460,000 in prop bets placed on the speed and outcome of pitches Clase and Ortiz threw for the Guardians, including some that landed in the dirt, prosecutors say.

The two Dominican Republic natives have been on nondisciplinary paid leave from Major League Baseball since July.

Clase wore a dark sport coat over a black shirt and ripped jeans and appeared to be uncomfortable throughout the proceeding.