Former Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor testified in federal court on Thursday that he observed nothing unusual about the disputed pitches thrown by former All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase and his former teammate Luis Ortiz, according to ESPN. Naylor, who played five seasons with the Guardians and is now with the Milwaukee Brewers, appeared as a defense witness in the ongoing trial where prosecutors allege Clase and Ortiz rigged pitches to benefit bettors.
Prosecutors claim Clase manipulated pitches in 17 games over a two-year period starting in May 2023. Naylor caught seven of the 18 pitches Clase is alleged to have rigged. During testimony, Naylor reviewed video replays of the pitches in question and described them as common sliders outside the strike zone. He noted that scouting reports on the hitters Ortiz faced indicated sliders low and away would be a "weapon."
In November 2025, Clase and Ortiz were indicted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. The Department of Justice alleges the pitchers agreed in advance with co-conspirators to throw specific pitch types and speeds, earning at least $450,000 by rigging outings. Both pleaded not guilty in November 2024. They have been on administrative leave since late June 2025 while MLB conducts its own investigation. If convicted on charges including wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, they could face up to 65 years in prison.
