Emmanuel Clase (Spanish pronunciation: [’klase] clahs-AY;[1] born March 18, 1998) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, making his debut with the team in 2019.

Clase was traded to Cleveland following the 2019 season and became their main closer in 2021. With Cleveland, Clase has been named an All-Star and led the American League in saves three times, was named AL Reliever of the Year in 2022 and 2024, and is the franchise's all-time save leader.[2]

Since July 2025, Clase has been on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of an investigation into sports betting by the league. In November, he was federally indicted and arrested in relation to the investigation.[3]

Career

San Diego Padres

Clase signed with the San Diego Padres as an international free agent on February 11, 2015, for a $125,000 signing bonus.[4] He played for the DSL Padres in 2015, going 2–1 with a 1.99 ERA in 54 innings. In 2016, he played for the AZL Padres, going 2–0 with a 4.01 ERA in 24+2⁄3 innings. In 2017, he played for the AZL Padres (2), going 2–4 with a 5.30 ERA in 35+2⁄3 innings, and in one game with the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Low-A Northwest League, allowing 5 runs in 3+1⁄3 innings.[4]

Texas Rangers

On May 7, 2018, the Padres traded Clase to the Texas Rangers as the player to be named later in an earlier trade for Brett Nicholas.[5] Clase was assigned to the Spokane Indians of the Low-A Northwest League, and finished the 2018 season after going 1–1 with a 0.64 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and 12 saves in 28+1⁄3 innings.[4] Clase was assigned to the Down East Wood Ducks of the High-A Carolina League to open the 2019 season.[6] He appeared in 6 games for them, going 2–0 with a 0.00 ERA, 1 save, and 11 strikeouts in 7 innings.[4] On April 23, he was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League, and went 1–2 with a 3.35 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 37+2⁄3 innings.[7][4]

On August 2, 2019, the Rangers selected Clase's contract and promoted him to MLB.[8][9] He made his MLB debut on August 4, pitching 1+2⁄3 scoreless innings.[10] Clase had a 2–3 record, 2.31 ERA, and 21 strikeouts over 23+1⁄3 innings.[1] His cutter was on average the fastest in MLB, at 99.2 miles per hour (159.6 km/h).[11][12]

Cleveland Indians / Guardians

On December 15, 2019, the Rangers traded Clase and Delino DeShields Jr. to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Corey Kluber and cash considerations.[13] Clase was suspended for 80 games on May 1, 2020, after testing positive for Boldenone, a banned performance-enhancing substance.[14] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortening of the 2020 Major League Baseball season to 60 games, Clase's suspension was lifted at the conclusion of the 2020 season.[15][16][1]

Clase joined Cleveland's bullpen for the 2021 season. After converting all six save opportunities in August and holding opposing batters to a .095 batting average, he was named American League (AL) Reliever of the Month.[17] In 2021, he was 4–5 with a 1.29 ERA in 69+2⁄3 innings. He earned 24 saves in 29 opportunities, a franchise rookie record. He finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting.[18][1]

On April 2, 2022, Clase agreed to a five-year $20 million extension with Cleveland.[19] In July, Clase was named to his first career All-Star team. He pitched the ninth inning for the AL at Dodger Stadium and struck out the side to get the save and secure a 3–2 victory.[20] In 2022, he was 3–4 with a 1.36 ERA in 72+2⁄3 innings and led MLB in saves. He compiled 42 saves in 46 opportunities.[21]

In 2023, Clase was named to his second consecutive All-Star team. He was 3–9 with a 3.22 ERA in 72+2⁄3 innings and led MLB in saves for the second year in a row. He compiled 44 saves in 56 opportunities.[1][22]

In July 2024, Clase was named to his third career All-Star team. He threw a scoreless ninth inning for the AL to get the save and secure a 5–3 victory.[23] On August 30, Clase recorded his 150th save for Cleveland, passing Cody Allen to become the franchise's all-time save leader.[2] He finished the regular season with an AL-leading 47 saves, also a career high, and a 0.61 ERA, the second-lowest ever for a pitcher with at least 70 innings in a season. He won his second AL Reliever of the Year Award and finished third in AL Cy Young Award and 11th in AL Most Valuable Player Award voting.[24][25][26]

Clase allowed more earned runs in the 2024 postseason than he did in the regular season.[26] In Game 2 of the AL Division Series, he gave up a game-winning three-run home run in the ninth inning to Kerry Carpenter of the Detroit Tigers, the first run Clase allowed since August 30 and just his third home run allowed in the season.[27] Clase recorded saves in games 4 and 5 that won the series, with the latter being the first six-out save of his major league career.[28] In Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, Clase gave up back-to-back home runs in the top of the 8th inning to New York Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. In Game 4, with the game tied in the 9th inning, Clase gave up two more runs as his postseason ERA ballooned to 10.29, compared to his 0.61 ERA in 74 games during the regular season.[29]

In 2025, he was 5–3 with a 3.23 ERA in 47+1⁄3 innings. He also compiled 24 saves in 29 opportunities before he was placed on paid leave in July.[30][31]

Gambling allegations, indictment and arrest

On July 28, 2025, Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of an investigation by MLB into sports betting.[31] Clase did not pitch again that season. Following the end of the season, he attempted to join the Estrellas Orientales of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). However, because the gambling investigation was active, LIDOM did not allow him to play.[32]

On November 9, 2025, federal prosecutors from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York indicted Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz on charges including wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. The indictment alleges that Clase and Ortiz "agreed in advance with their co-conspirators to throw specific types of pitches and speeds of pitches", and the co-conspirators then used the information to place bets.[33]

On November 13, 2025, Clase was arrested at JFK Airport in New York City by FBI agents. Hours later, he was arraigned in a Brooklyn federal court, entering a plea of not guilty.[3][34]

Pitching style

Clase throws an upper 90s/low 100s mph cut fastball and a low 90s slider.[35][36] He has demonstrated an exceptional ability to control his pitches despite throwing at such a high velocity, averaging just 1.8 walks per 9 innings as of the end of the 2025 season.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Cleveland Guardians 2024 Media Guide. 2024. pp. 91, 92.
  2. ^ a b Palattella, Henry (August 30, 2024). "Clase passes Allen to become Cleveland's all-time saves leader". MLB.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Katersky, Aaron (November 13, 2025). "Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase arrested at JFK following indictment in alleged MLB sports betting scheme". ABC News. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Emmanuel Clase Player Page". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Wilson, Jeff (May 24, 2019). "Emmanuel Clase Proving To Be A Savy Pickup". Baseball America. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  6. ^ Present, Matt (March 27, 2019). "Wood Ducks Announce 2019 Roster". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  7. ^ Yousuf, Saad (May 15, 2019). "'This kid's a big leaguer': Rangers debut is brewing as Emmanuel Clase dazzles in Frisco". The Athletic. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  8. ^ "Rangers' Emmanuel Clase: Earns promotion to big leagues". CBS Sports. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  9. ^ Yousuf, Saad (August 2, 2019). "Two days after deadline, Rangers roster undergoes shakeup with influx of young talent". The Athletic. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  10. ^ Sullivan, T.R. (August 4, 2019). "4 Rangers defy odds on mound to seal sweep". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  11. ^ "2019 Statcast Pitch Arsenals Leaderboard". Baseball Savant. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  12. ^ Clemens, Ben (August 9, 2019). "Emmanuel Clase is Wondrous". FanGraphs. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  13. ^ Anderson, R.J. (December 15, 2019). "Rangers acquire Corey Kluber from Indians in latest hot stove shake-up". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  14. ^ Todd, Jeff (May 1, 2020). "Emmanuel Clase Receives PED Suspension". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  15. ^ Meisel, Zack (September 3, 2024). "Emmanuel Clase's path to becoming MLB's top closer (and the best in Cleveland history)". The Athletic. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  16. ^ Shusterman, Jordan (September 5, 2024). "How Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase unlocked another level of excellence: 'Hitters look defeated before they go to the plate'". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  17. ^ Adler, David (September 2, 2021). "Clase, Williams tabbed top August relievers". MLB.com. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  18. ^ "2021 Cleveland Indians Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  19. ^ Zencka, TC (April 2, 2022). "Guardians, Emmanuel Clase Agree To Extension". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  20. ^ Noga, Joe (July 19, 2022). "Emmanuel Clase strikes out the side in the ninth to earn save in American League's 3-2 All-Star Game win". Cleveland.com. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  21. ^ "2022 Cleveland Guardians Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  22. ^ "2023 Cleveland Guardians Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  23. ^ Castillo, Jorge (July 17, 2024). "1st-time All-Star Duran shines in MVP effort for AL". ESPN. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  24. ^ Bell, Mandy (November 20, 2024). "A closer look at Clase's dominant season". MLB.com. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  25. ^ "Lowest Era In One Season With At Least 70 Innings Pitched". StatMuse. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  26. ^ a b "Emmanuel Clase Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  27. ^ Bell, Mandy (October 7, 2024). "Guards' plan falls apart as 'nearly perfect' Clase gives up game-winning HR". MLB.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  28. ^ @MLB (October 12, 2024). "Emmanuel Clase records his FIRST CAREER six-out save to send the @CleGuardians to the #ALCS" (Tweet). Retrieved October 13, 2024 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  29. ^ Doolittle, Bradford (October 19, 2024). "Guardians' Clase calls lack of execution in ALCS 'surprising'". ESPN. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  30. ^ "2025 Cleveland Guardians Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  31. ^ a b Axisa, Mike (July 28, 2025). "Guardians reliever Emmanuel Clase placed on paid leave amid MLB's sports betting investigation". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  32. ^ Owens, Jason (October 14, 2025). "Guardians Luis Ortiz, Emmanuel Clase reportedly banned from Dominican Winter League amid MLB gambling probe". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  33. ^ Perry, Dayn (November 10, 2025). "MLB betting scandal: Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase, Luis L. Ortiz indicted". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  34. ^ Spady, Alyssa (November 13, 2025). "Cleveland Guardians' Emmanuel Clase arrested at JFK airport, pleads not guilty in pitch rigging case". CBS News. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  35. ^ "Player Card: Emmanuel Clase". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  36. ^ Grant, Evan (August 10, 2019). "Emmanuel Clase's cut fastball does not compute. Rangers' catchers can only describe the pitch as a 'thing'". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmanuel_Clase