Bo Naylor defends Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz at federal MLB betting trial
Naylor testified November 5; prosecutors presented DraftKings data and geolocation evidence
Key Takeaways
- Bo Naylor testified on November 5 that the disputed pitches looked normal to him.
- Prosecutors presented testimony including bets up to $600 and 160 DraftKings geolocation pings linked to Emmanuel Clase’s residence.
- The prosecution says the alleged scheme produced at least $460,000 in betting winnings.
- Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz pleaded not guilty after November 2025 indictments and have been on administrative leave since July 2025.
- Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto expects proceedings to continue until at least December 3.
Bo Naylor testified on November 5 in the federal trial of Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz that the pitches prosecutors called manipulated looked normal to him. Naylor, the former Cleveland Guardians catcher, said several throws fit the game plan and that he did not notice anything unusual in the sequences the prosecution alleges were manipulated.
Testimony from Bo Naylor
Naylor said the pitches prosecutors flagged as manipulated did not catch his attention during games. He explained that he caught 14 of Ortiz’s 16 starts in 2025, including the June 27, 2025 outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, and that scouting reports identified sliders low and away as a weakness for the batters involved in two of the disputed pitches. "Slider low and away," Naylor told defence attorney Paul Flannery. He also said he caught seven of the 18 pitches the prosecution alleges Clase manipulated between May 2023 and May 2025 without noticing anything suspicious.
Naylor added that he was unaware bets on individual pitch outcomes were possible before the case and described cooperating with bettors as a "betrayal," while saying he did not believe Clase or Ortiz had acted improperly.
Evidence presented by prosecutors and witnesses
Prosecutors introduced witness testimony and betting data. Edward Canario testified in court that co-defendant Luis Arismendy Paca Méndez instructed him to bet on specific pitches in May and June 2023, and said he placed wagers up to $600 on pitch speeds and outcomes such as balls or hit-by-pitches. "I had inside information on these pitches," Canario said. On cross-examination, Canario acknowledged that Paca Méndez never explicitly claimed to possess insider information.
Joel Trella, director of DraftKings’ special investigations unit, testified that the betting account showed 160 geolocation pings associated with Clase’s residence. Prosecutors added that 14 people were geolocated at the property on one day highlighted by the investigation. Canario testified that Paca Méndez lived with Clase and that he warned Canario not to discuss the allegedly guaranteed bets.
Legal context and case schedule
The case examines microbetting markets, which allow wagers on individual events within a game, and raises questions about manipulation and fraud rather than internal league violations. Under MLB Rule 21 and league policy, players cannot bet on baseball or help others bet on games; betting on contests involving one’s own team can carry a lifetime ban. Prosecutors, however, allege Clase and Ortiz helped bettors profit from predetermined results and say the scheme generated at least $460,000 in betting winnings.
Both pitchers pleaded not guilty following indictments in November 2025 and have not played in MLB since they were placed on administrative, non-disciplinary leave in July 2025. Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto indicated the proceedings are expected to continue until at least December 3.
For information on in-play markets and microbetting, see [sports section](/sports). For rules applicable to leagues and players, consult [regulation](/regulation). For details on platform investigations, see [b2b](/b2b).
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Bo Naylor say about the pitches at trial?
Bo Naylor testified on November 5 that the pitches prosecutors identify as manipulated seemed normal and that several matched scouting reports; he said he caught 14 of Ortiz’s 16 starts in 2025 and observed nothing suspicious in the flagged pitches.
What evidence did prosecutors present against Clase and Ortiz?
Prosecutors presented witness testimony, including Edward Canario’s claim he placed bets up to $600 at others’ instruction, and Joel Trella of DraftKings testified the account showed 160 geolocation pings tied to Clase’s residence.
How much money do prosecutors say the alleged scheme generated?
The prosecution alleges the scheme produced at least $460,000 in betting winnings.
What is the current status of the accused MLB players?
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz pleaded not guilty to the charges and have not appeared in MLB games since they were placed on administrative, non-disciplinary leave in July 2025.
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About the author
Renata Quiroga
Betting Markets Correspondent
Renata Quiroga covers sports betting and prediction markets — sportsbook launches, odds technology, event contracts, and the regulatory calls that decide what can be bet on and where. The reports open with the product or the ruling, name operators and platforms precisely, and explain the mechanics without needless jargon. When a book enters a Latin American market or a prediction exchange lists a contested contract, Renata Quiroga reports what changes for the bettor.
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