Because the federal investigation into the Wayne Nix unlawful gambling ring expands, Principal League Baseball is opening its first investigation. The league so a ways has declined to entire its possess investigation into Shohei Ohtani or his ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
But ESPN Friday (17 Would possibly maybe) linked prone Angels infielder David Fletcher and ex-minor leaguer Cody Shultz to the Southern California unlawful having a bet ring. Monday morning, ESPN reported that MLB is opening a having a bet investigation into Fletcher, now in the Atlanta Braves farm system.
Fletcher reportedly bet with Mathew Bowyer, the similar unlawful bookmaker Mizuhara veteran. Fletcher did no longer bet on baseball, according to ESPN.
His excessive faculty pal, Shultz, reportedly did, even though, along with on Angels video games through which Fletcher performed. Per ESPN, Schultz is the actual person is referred to as “Bookmaker 3” in the Mizuhara complaint.
Principal League Baseball has no longer officially acknowledged an investigation. It previously declined to commence one on Ohtani, after the federal authorities referred to Ohtani as a ‘victim’. The league previously said the federal authorities had more assets obtainable, so it might maybe maybe maybe maybe maybe wait to peek what became uncovered.
MLB: Making a bet OK, factual no longer on baseball
MLB principles allow players to bet on sports, factual no longer baseball. Sports activities having a bet is unlawful in California, which implies if Fletcher or Schultz did bet with Bowyer, they broke the law. If Fletcher or Schultz bet on baseball, either would face a lifetime ban, per league principles.
MLB’s gambling coverage requires a minimum one-year suspension for a player who “operates or works for” an unlawful bookmaker. The penalty for having a bet with an unlawful bookie is at the commissioner’s discretion.
Fletcher and Ohtani accept been teammates from 2018-23, and Fletcher told ESPN that he and Ohtani accept been “right pals”. For the length of that span, the Angels did no longer accept a winning season, and did no longer smash .500. In 2021, Fletcher signed a $26 million five-extension, however the Angels then traded him to the Braves.
Mizuhara to trade plea in June
Fletcher previously told ESPN that he became at the poker sport where Mizuhara met Bowyer however denied introducing the 2. Mizuhara plans to plead guilty for stealing nearly $17m from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts incurred with Bowyer.
He pled “no longer guilty” closing week, however a trade-of-plea hearing is determined for 4 June. Mizuhara is charged with monetary institution fraud and signing a unfounded tax return. The utmost penalties for his crimes are 33 years in jail and $1.25m in fines.
The federal having a bet investigation stemming from the Nix gambling ring is broad reaching. Used Dodger Yaiel Puig and ex-Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen accept been in ensnared. LeBron James’ manager moreover bet with the Nix ring.
Fletcher and Schultz grew up in Orange County, the similar county Bowyer and Mizuhara are residing in. He performed faculty baseball at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, and the Angels drafted him in the sixth round in 2015. He made his MLB debut 13 June 2018.
Fletcher performed five video games for the Braves this season, 16 April-25 April. He went 2-for-8 and became despatched motivate to Triple A Gwinnet.