MLB infielder David Fletcher, who once played with Shohei Ohtani in the Los Angeles Angels, has reportedly been connected to a sports betting ring involving an illegal bookmaker. Fletcher allegedly placed bets through the same bookie as Ohtani's former trainer, Ippei Mizuhara, who was recently charged with stealing funds from the star player's bank account.
David Fletcher, an infielder for the Atlanta Braves, has been linked to a sports betting scheme involving an illegal bookmaker, according to a report by ESPN. Fletcher, who played for the Los Angeles Angels from 2018 to 2023, reportedly bet on sports through bookmaker Matthew Bowyer, the same individual named in the case against Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani's former trainer.
While Fletcher reportedly did not bet on baseball games, his friend and former Kansas City Royals pitcher Colby Schultz is said to have placed wagers on MLB contests, including Angels games while Fletcher was on the team.
Major League Baseball, the Braves, Fletcher, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California have declined to comment on the matter. Schultz has not responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Fletcher, who played alongside Ohtani for five seasons, has stated that they were close friends. Under MLB rules, players and employees are allowed to bet on non-baseball sports, but wagering through illegal bookmakers could result in penalties from the commissioner's office.
Players who bet on baseball games they are not involved in could face a one-year suspension, while those who wager on games they participate in could be permanently banned from the sport.
Ohtani has been embroiled in a separate betting scandal after Mizuhara was accused of stealing nearly $17 million from his bank account to pay off gambling debts. Mizuhara pleaded not guilty to charges in federal court but signed a plea agreement detailing the allegations.
Fletcher's alleged involvement in sports betting could further tarnish the reputation of a player who was considered a rising star in the Angels organization. He is currently playing in the Triple-A system after being optioned from the Braves due to a lack of productivity.
The Braves, who have high expectations for their 2023 season, will likely be monitoring the situation closely. If Fletcher is found to have violated MLB rules, he could face significant consequences that could impact both his career and the team's success.
