The Cleveland Guardians are continuing to move forward without Emmanuel Clase as the pitcher deals with the fallout from his involvement in a sports gambling scandal that has resulted in criminal charges. Clase is not allowed to attend spring training with the Guardians, but he recently received word that he can travel to Arizona.
Clase had been limited to staying in Ohio after self-surrendering to authorities from his native Dominican Republic. Now, he is keeping open the possibility of a highly unlikely return to the major leagues.
According to Mason Horodosky of News 5 Cleveland, a big update has emerged regarding Clase, as he has been granted permission to live in Arizona for “work-related reasons.”
“Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been granted permission to travel to and temporarily reside in Arizona for ‘work-related reasons,'” Horodyski wrote on X.
NEWS: #Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been granted permission to travel to and temporarily reside in Arizona for “work related reasons”.
Here the letter of the request that was granted by Judge Robert Levy. @WEWS pic.twitter.com/sUQgEK9bAJ
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) February 13, 2026
In a letter of the request that was granted by Judge Robert Levy, Clase asked to “live near his agent where he can train.” It said that he “requires access to advanced training facilities and personnel in order to compete at the highest level of professional sports.”
However, even though the Guardians hold spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, Clase’s chances of ever playing in the majors again are extremely slim. He is facing multiple charges that could result in a decades-long prison sentence, and even if he is acquitted, MLB can permanently ban him based on its own rules regarding gambling.
It was recently revealed that the All-Star closer’s involvement in the prop-bet scheme was much more extensive and went on for longer than initially believed when he was put on leave last July. He reportedly threw as many as 250 suspect pitches over almost 50 games from 2023 to 2025.
There is no telling how long the legal case may take, so it is impossible to know what kind of shape the now 27-year-old would be in if he were allowed to play again. In addition, it is unknown if any team would be willing to sign him.
If Clase has indeed made his final MLB appearance, it is a sad end to a career that included three All-Star selections and two Reliever of the Year awards.
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