Who is David Fletcher? Explaining gambling investigation for Shohei Ohtani’s former Angels teammate

The Dodgers' season began with the cloud of former Shohei Ohtani interpreter Ippei Mizuhara's firing over claims he defrauded Ohtani after placing massive amounts of bets with an illegal bookie. Despite Ohtani's clearance in the scandal, the saga isn't going away just yet. 

Former Angels infielder David Fletcher is now the subject of an investigation related to the same illegal bookie Mizuhara was caught up with, putting Mizuhara's case back in the spotlight less than two weeks after it was revealed the disgraced interpreter struck a plea deal. 

Investigators found no evidence Ohtani gambled or was even aware of Mizuhara's illegal gambling, and the Dodgers star hasn't let the negative headlines affect him on the field. He's been one of MLB's most productive hitters in 2024 and entered Saturday tied for the league-lead in home runs with 13. 

Fletcher, however, could be in hot water after a handful of years as Ohtani's teammate with the Angels.

Here's what you need to know about Fletcher and the allegations he's facing.

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Who is David Fletcher?

Fletcher is an infielder in the Braves organization. He appeared in five major-league games this season but has spent the bulk of the year in triple-A. 

Fletcher was with the Angels organization for the entirety of Ohtani's six-year tenure in Anaheim. He was an everyday player from 2019-2021, batting .292 over his first three seasons. Already a limited player thanks to his lack of power, Fletcher lost his everyday role when his contact began to decline after 2021, despite signing a five-year, $26 million extension with the franchise.

The Braves acquired Fletcher along with Max Stassi in December 2023, in exchange for two minor-leaguers. Atlanta flipped Stassi to the White Sox but held onto Fletcher as infield depth. 

Here are the details on why Fletcher is back in the headlines for his role in a gambling investigation. 

David Fletcher gambling investigation, explained

Fletcher bet on sports with the same illegal bookmaker who received bets from Mizuhara, according to ESPN. A friend of Fletcher's who briefly played in the minor leagues with the Royals was also involved with the bookie. 

Fletcher is not believed to have bet on baseball, but the report adds that MLB is expected to launch an investigation into the Braves minor-leaguer. 

Each professional league has its own gambling guidelines in this era of legalized sports betting, and MLB allows players to bet on sports other than baseball. The league does not, of course, allow players to place bets with illegal bookmakers. 

Fletcher was "often described as Ohtani's closest friend" on the Angels, according to ESPN. There remain no indications Ohtani was involved with the bookmaker in any way.

Pending the results of an MLB investigation, Fletcher could face punishment from the league. That likely wouldn't affect the Braves much beyond limiting their organizational depth, given Fletcher has spent most of 2024 in the minor leagues, but any suspension would be a tough blow for a player struggling to reestablish himself as a major-leaguer.

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David Fletcher stats