Witness says Ohtani scandal halted pitch-betting tips

Sport · First reported 7 Nov, 03:01 · Updated 03:04

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

At the federal trial of Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, witness Luis de Aza Baez testified that tips he used to bet on Clase’s pitches in 2023 were no longer available when he asked about them in 2024, amid scrutiny of Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter. De Aza Baez said the tips came through an associate, not directly from Clase.

De Aza Baez testified that he placed bets on Clase’s pitches using information supplied by Enoc Pena in 2023, and that he received no direct tips from Clase.
He said that when he asked about pitch information in 2024, he was told there was no more information because of what was happening with Ohtani.
De Aza Baez agreed to forfeit $69,000 in winnings tied to Clase and testify for the government in exchange for dropping a wire-fraud charge, the reports say.

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Key facts

Witness: Luis de Aza Baez, an Uber driver, testified for the government.
Alleged source of tips: Enoc Pena, an associate of Clase, according to de Aza Baez.
Forfeiture: $69,000 in winnings tied to Clase.
Ohtani case: Mizuhara pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani; Ohtani was cleared of wrongdoing.
Defendants’ pleas: Clase and Ortiz pleaded not guilty.