A former Cleveland Guardians catcher testified Thursday (Nov. 5) that he saw nothing unusual about pitches allegedly manipulated by two of his former teammates.

Bo Naylor, now with the Milwaukee Brewers, appeared as a defense witness in the federal trial of pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz in Brooklyn. Both men face conspiracy and fraud charges stemming from allegations that they deliberately influenced individual pitches as part of a betting conspiracy that netted at least $460,000.

Naylor was shown footage of pitches thrown by the defendants during the 2025 season, including those prosecutors contend were deliberately thrown outside the strike zone.

He told jurors that the pitches did not appear suspicious and were consistent with normal baseball strategy, according to ESPN.

The catcher explained that pitchers and catchers prepare for games by studying opposing batters’ weaknesses and agreeing on the type and location of pitches. Even highly skilled pitchers cannot guarantee that every delivery will reach its intended target, he added.

Unaware of Pitch-by-Pitch Betting

During cross-examination by Assistant US Attorney James Simmons, Naylor acknowledged that he had been unaware that gamblers could wager on the outcome of individual pitches until the criminal investigation became public.

“I didn’t know that until the situation,” he testified, according to the Associated Press.

Such wagers, sometimes called microbets, allow gamblers to bet on whether a particular pitch will be a ball or strike, creating opportunities for manipulation that would not necessarily influence the outcome of a game.

Prosecutors allege Clase, a three-time All-Star, began supplying gamblers with advance information about his pitches in 2023 before recruiting Ortiz into the scheme in 2025.

They claim Clase manipulated 18 pitches across 17 games, while Ortiz deliberately threw balls on two occasions in exchange for payments.

Both players have pleaded not guilty and remain on unpaid leave from the Guardians.

Cockfighting Explanation

Naylor was also questioned about Clase’s alleged interest in cockfighting, which is legal in the Dominican Republic, where the pitcher grew up.

He acknowledged hearing clubhouse rumors about Clase’s involvement in the activity.

Defense attorneys have argued that communications prosecutors interpret as coded references to rigged pitches actually concerned cockfighting and dominoes.

They have also sought to undermine the credibility of Enoc Pena, a gambler prosecutors allege played a central role in the scheme, arguing that he exploited his relationship with Clase.

Meanwhile, investigators have presented betting records and geolocation evidence linking gambling activity to Clase’s residence.

The trial, before US District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto, is expected to continue into early December.