Shohei Ohtani's Teammate Also Used Illegal Bookmaker: Report

David Fletcher, a former Los Angeles Angels teammate of Shohei Ohtani, allegedly placed bets with the same illegal bookmaker as the star pitcher's translator Ippei Mizuhara. 

According to ESPN, Fletcher as well as minor league teammate Colby Schultz placed bets with California bookie Matthew Bowyer. Schultz allegedly placed bets on baseball games that Fletcher played in, however Fletcher did not bet on baseball, according to multiple sources. Major League Baseball's rules specifically prohibit any player from betting on baseball games, and when betting on other sports, they can't use an illegal bookmaker.

Major League Baseball is not currently investigating Fletcher, but that could now change with this new information, according to ESPN. Fletcher is currently playing under a 2021 five-year, $26 million extension that he signed with the Angels before being traded to the Braves. He played in last night's Triple-A game for the organization.

Shohei Ohtani's former best friend and translator Ippei Mizuhara worked with each other for years.  (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

THE OHTANI CONNECTION

What makes this new information even more interesting, however, is that Fletcher was one of Ohtani's best friends when they were on the Angels together from 2018 to 2023.

"We're good friends… We would talk on the bus and at the hotel," Fletcher told ESPN reporters on March 18th when asked about his relationship with Ohtani.

That means both of Ohtani's closest confidants were betting with the illegal bookie. Fletcher told ESPN that he met Ippei when he was introduced to Bowyer during a 2021 poker game while everyone was in San Diego. 

Last month, Ippei Mizuhara was arrested and charged with multiple counts, including felony fraud, after allegedly stealing more than $17 million from Ohtani for his gambling addiction.

According to multiple reports citing law enforcement, Ohtani is still not under investigation or a suspect of any illegal wrongdoing. 

With two more players in Fletcher and Schultz now being accused of participating in Bowyer's illegal gambling operation, the question everyone should be asking is - what other players were as well?