David Purdum Nov 5, 2026, 07:57 PM ET

Close

Joined ESPN in 2014

Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008

NEW YORK -- Former Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor said Thursday during the second day of witness testimony in a federal gambling trial that he didn't think there was anything unusual about the pitches Emmanuel Clase or Luis Ortiz are accused of rigging to benefit bettors.

Naylor, a defense witness, was shown video replays of some of the pitches the government alleges were predetermined by Clase or Ortiz as part of the scheme. Naylor was behind the plate for many of them and said they looked like common sliders outside the strike zone. He said the scouting reports on the hitters Ortiz faced during the two pitches in question indicated that sliders low and away would be a "weapon."

Naylor played five seasons for the Guardians until he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in August. He was behind the plate for 14 of Ortiz's 16 starts in 2025, including the June 27 game against the St.…