MLB Will Provide Gambling-Investigation Records to Senate Panel
Major League Baseball will hand over documents to a Senate committee probing gambling-related misconduct.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed Wednesday that Major League Baseball intends to comply with a formal request from the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee for records tied to recent gambling investigations. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who lead the committee, asked for materials by Dec. 5 after federal indictments in November alleged that two Cleveland Guardians pitchers took bribes to influence in-game outcomes.
Manfred told reporters at an owners’ meeting that "We’re going to respond fully and cooperatively and on time to the Senate inquiry". The request follows indictments unsealed on Nov. 9 against pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz; both have pleaded not guilty. MLB has said it is conducting its own internal probe and has placed Ortiz on paid leave on July 3 and Clase on July 28, with both players sitting out of accruing further service time until Opening Day, March 25.
On-Field Investigations, Betting Limits and Schedule Changes
In the wake of the indictments, MLB has tightened wagering rules with licensed operators. The league announced limits of $200 on bets tied to individual pitches and prohibited those market types from being included in parlays. "We think the steps we’ve taken in terms of limiting the size of these prop bets and prohibiting parlays on them is a really, really significant change that should reduce the incentive for anyone to be involved in an inappropriate way", Manfred said.
Manfred said it is premature for the league to take a public position on prediction markets – platforms that allow trading of contracts based on event outcomes – noting different regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions. "We’re well aware of the issues, the different regulatory framework, but not in a position where I want to articulate publicly a position on it", he added.
The commissioner also confirmed MLB continues to provide support for players who receive threats linked to sports betting. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Murphy v. NCAA, which opened the door to statewide sports wagering, leagues and teams have reported increased security and legal issues tied to betting activity. "We have had in place for some time services that are available to players that receive threats of this kind in terms of providing support through law enforcement", Manfred said. "We do take it as a very serious issue and do provide support on an ongoing basis."
Separately, Manfred declined to detail management’s negotiating positions in the collective-bargaining talks that will shape the labor agreement expiring in December 2026, but acknowledged fan concern about competitive balance. MLB has warned players it may impose a lockout on Dec. 2, 2026, if a new deal is not reached – a step the commissioner said he wants to avoid to keep every regular-season game intact.
The owners’ meeting also produced several operational announcements. The amateur draft moves to the Saturday before the All-Star Game, with the Futures Game shifted to Sunday and followed by a new exhibition featuring former players and celebrities. NBC will air the first hour of the draft; remaining coverage will stream on Peacock and the MLB Network. The Field of Dreams Game is scheduled to return Aug. 13 in Dyersville, Iowa, with Minnesota hosting Philadelphia, and MLB said it expects the Rays to play their home opener at Tropicana Field on April 6 after repairs from Hurricane Milton are completed.
More Regulation News
Integrity Measures and Player Protections
MLB’s response to the Senate inquiry and the in-season betting adjustments underscore the sport’s priority on safeguarding competition as legal betting expands. The league has also entered a six-year agreement for continued use of Pitch.com technology – electronic devices used by catchers to relay pitch calls – which Manfred described as important for pace of play and as a deterrent to sign-stealing.
As federal oversight and state-level regulation of sports wagering evolves, MLB faces multiple fronts: cooperating with congressional oversight, completing internal investigations into alleged corruption, and adapting commercial rules with gaming partners. How thoroughly the league’s internal review addresses alleged misconduct in Cleveland and how quickly the Senate committee receives and assesses the documents will shape whether additional regulatory or legislative scrutiny follows in 2026.
RELATED TOPICS: Regulation
Latest News
Responsible Gambling
GambleAware Survey Finds Five Million Want to Cut Back on Gambling
Nov 19, 2025Most Read
Nevada Rejects FanDuel and DraftKings Licensing amid Prediction-Market Dispute
Nov 14, 2025Must Read
Interviews
Review this New Post
Leave a Comment
User Comments
Comments for MLB to Provide Records in Senate Gambling Probe