Santo Domingo – Prominent Dominican pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have filed a lawsuit against the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (Lidom).
The reason for the legal action is the prohibition that prevents them from participating with the Estrellas Orientales in the current winter season.
The judicial document, identified as act number 1295/2025 and dated October 22, seeks to ensure the right of the players to play in the local league. Lidom ratified the veto through a report issued by its president, Vitelio Mejía, on October 13.
The legal representation of Clase and Ortiz is handled by lawyer Sheiner Adames Torres.
The situation of Clase and Ortiz arises amid a Major League Baseball (MLB) investigation related to alleged bets on games in which both had participated. This has resulted in their suspension from playing with the Cleveland Guardians.
Meanwhile, it is reported from Venezuela that Emmanuel Clase would have reached an agreement to reinforce the Tiburones de La Guaira.
However, this has been given without the necessary authorization from its source team or Lidom.
Yes, we would have to lend them; as of today we have not lent to either of them.
Jorge Torres, Lidom’s operations manager, explained that any movement of players to another Caribbean league requires the approval of both the team and the Dominican league itself.
This case has generated great interest in Caribbean baseball, recalling precedents such as that of the Venezuelan Tucupita Marcano.
Marcano participated in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League before being suspended for life by MLB for links to betting.
The lawsuit by Clase and Ortiz represents a new chapter in the tensions between the players and the organization that regulates winter professional baseball in the Dominican Republic.
