Former Angels infielder David Fletcher is under investigation

Atlanta Braves second baseman David Fletcher throws out Juan Soto of the New York Yankees at first base in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

According to the latest ESPN report, Major League Baseball is investigating former Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher.

The investigation began Monday with allegations that Fletcher played at an illegal bookmaker during his time with the Angels and bet on a variety of sports with Matthew Bowyer, the same Orange County bookmaker who placed bets from Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani.

ESPN reported that Fletcher did not bet on baseball and could face a fine if found guilty in the investigation.

Mizuhara pleaded not guilty Friday, largely as a technicality. On the same day it was announced that Fletcher had placed bets with Bowyer.

In October 2023, Bowyer’s home was searched by federal agents.

As for Fletcher, he was teammates with Ohtani from 2018 to 2023 before signing with the Atlanta Braves in December 2023, before the start of the 2024 season.

The 29-year-old is currently with the Braves Triple-A affiliate, a far cry from his birthplace here in Orange County.

Born in Orange, Fletcher played at Cypress High School and went on to play college baseball at Loyola Marymount University, attracting the attention of several MLB scouts.

He advanced through the minor leagues and made his MLB debut with the Angels on June 13, 2018. He played 82 games that season and scored three goals in his first game.

Fletcher’s best MLB season came in 2020, when he posted a .319 batting average, .376 on-base percentage and .425 slugging percentage with 66 hits, 31 runs, 18 RBIs and two stolen bases scored.

MLB investigators plan to question Fletcher, but it is unclear whether he will cooperate with the investigation.

According to the ESPN report, Fletcher was at the poker game with Mizuhara in March, where Ohtani’s former interpreter met Bowyer for the first time.

There has been no official announcement as to whether Fletcher will be suspended pending the investigation, just before his 30th birthday on May 31.