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Major League Baseball has officially opened an investigation into new gambling allegations that have been made against David Fletcher, an infielder who played with Shohei Ohtani on the Los Angeles Angels from 2018 to 2023.
Last week, it was reported that David Fletcher had also placed bets with the same bookie, Mathew Bowyer, that Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Muzuhara did.
Fletcher, 29, is currently playing for the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers, was described by ESPN as one of Shohei Ohtani’s “closest friends in baseball.”
Fletcher’s good friend who played in the Kansas City Royals’ system, Colby Schultz, also allegedly placed bets with Mathew Bowyer, including games in which Fletcher played for the Angels.
On Monday, ESPN reported that a Major League Baseball source told the media outlet that “government cooperation will be crucial in a case like this where we don’t have evidence.”
Mathew Bowyer’s home was raided in October 2023 as part of a federal investigation.
ESPN also reported that Major League Baseball investigators will request an interview with Fletcher, but he could refuse to cooperate if he believes he will be the subject of a criminal investigation. MLB investigators are expected to also reach out to law enforcement for assistance in gathering evidence.
David Fletcher did admit to ESPN that he was present at the 2021 poker game in San Diego where Ippei Mizuhara met bookie Bowyer.
Fletcher will still be allowed to play baseball while the investigation is underway. He has, for the first time in his career, been pitching, featuring a knuckleball, allowing 3 earned runs in 3.1 innings over 3 appearances for the Stripers this season. He is also batting .244 in 133 at-bats with a dismal .569 OPS.
Infielder David Fletcher is throwing knuckleballs at Triple-A Gwinnett!
He’s got a 0.00 ERA in two outings. 👀 pic.twitter.com/VmS7KfQQ6z
— MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2024
Fletcher, even if he didn’t place any bets on baseball, could still be banned for life if it is found that he helped his friend Colby Schultz to win bets on Major League Baseball games in which he played.