Former Los Angeles Angels infielder and present Atlanta Braves minor leaguer David Fletcher positioned bets with Mathew Bowyer, the unlawful bookmaker on the heart of the Ippei Mizuhara scandal, stories ESPN. Fletcher is just not accused of playing on baseball, however his good friend Colby Schultz, a former Kansas Metropolis Royals minor leaguer, reportedly did guess on MLB video games, together with Angels video games that Fletcher performed in.
Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s good friend and longtime interpreter, is alleged to have stolen over $16 million from Ohtani to cowl his playing money owed. Ohtani and Fletcher had been teammates with the Angels from 2018-23 and are stated to be shut associates. Listed below are extra particulars from ESPN:
Within the March interview, Fletcher instructed ESPN that he was current on the 2021 poker recreation in San Diego the place Mizuhara first met Bowyer. Fletcher stated he didn’t introduce the interpreter to the bookie however that Bowyer gained entry to the poker recreation on the crew resort by an acquaintance of Fletcher’s.
Fletcher additionally instructed ESPN in March he had met Bowyer as soon as earlier than whereas enjoying golf and that he knew Bowyer was a bookmaker on the time of the poker recreation. He stated that he by no means positioned a guess himself with Bowyer’s group.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Central District of California declined to remark when reached by CBS Sports activities Friday night. An legal professional representing Bowyer didn’t instantly return a request for remark.
MLB gamers and crew personnel are forbidden from betting on baseball, even legally. They’ll guess on different sports activities legally, however playing on sports activities is unlawful in California. MLB will undoubtedly examine Fletcher. Any self-discipline, together with a lifetime ban, is as much as the discretion of commissioner Rob Manfred. Pete Rose was given a lifetime ban after admitting he guess on baseball.
Bowyer is below federal investigation and Mizuhara’s and Fletcher’s names got here up in the course of the investigation. Mizuhara initially claimed Ohtani agreed to cowl his debt, although he later admitted it was a lie. He allegedly stole from Ohtani by a collection of wire transfers, generally impersonating Ohtani over the cellphone to finish the transaction. Prosecutors have declared Ohtani a sufferer within the case and say he didn’t take part in any playing.
Mizuhara entered a not responsible plea earlier this week. That was merely a formality as he negotiates a plea cope with prosecutors. He’s dealing with as much as 33 years in jail for financial institution fraud, amongst different expenses.
Fletcher, 29, signed a five-year extension value $26 million in April 2021. The Angels traded him to the Braves in what amounted to a wage dump commerce this previous offseason. Atlanta positioned Fletcher on waivers, however he went unclaimed. He’s a profession .276/.323/.358 hitter.
