JUNE 10, 2024 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
DAVID FLETCHER
0 HR •
2 RBI •
.250 AVG
0 HR
2 RBI
.250 AVG
From MLB infielder to suspected bettor to … minor league pitcher? As MLB probes former Angel David Fletcher for sports betting, he’s getting minor-league hitters out with his knuckeball.
Dabbling with knuckleball at Triple-A Fletcher made his first career start as a pitcher for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, striking out six over five innings while allowing two earned runs on three hits and and one wa...
Impact Primarily an infielder since entering the professional ranks in 2015, Fletcher saw action in five games with Atlanta earlier this season and has been making regular starts at second base for Gwinnett since being outrighted off the 40-man roster in late April. However, the 29-year-old recently informed club officials that he had been tinkering with a knuckleball, and he impressed enough in workouts for the Gwinnett coaching staff to give him the chance to pitch in games earlier this month. Fletcher was tagged for six earned runs over six innings across his first four relief appearances for Gwinnett, but upon stepping into a starting role Wednesday, he delivered his lengthiest and best outing yet. Fletcher will likely need to turn in at least a few more quality performances on the mound for Gwinnett before Atlanta contemplates bringing him back on the big-league roster as a pitcher and utility infielder. There's also the matter of an ongoing investigation from Major League Baseball into Fletcher's involvement with the same Southern California bookmaker used by Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. According to Tisha Thompson of ESPN.com, sources familiar with the booking operation relay that Fletcher didn't place any bets on baseball, but clarity on whether Fletcher will receive any punishment related to his gambling activities won't become clear until the investigation concludes.
MAY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Ex-Angel David Fletcher under MLB investigation for alleged ties to bookie in Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal: report An MLB investigation into ex-Angels infielder David Fletcher’s alleged ties to the illegal bookmaker...
MAY 20, 2024 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Ex-Angel David Fletcher under MLB investigation for alleged ties to bookie in Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal: report An MLB investigation into ex-Angels infielder David Fletcher’s alleged ties to the illegal bookmaker...
MAY 20, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
MLB investigating ex-Angels infielder David Fletcher for alleged gambling MLB launched an investigation on Monday into claims that former Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher used an illegal bookie to gamble...
MAY 20, 2024 • THESTATE.COM
MLB reportedly opens gambling investigation into ex-Angel David Fletcher
MLB has reportedly opened an investigation into former Angels infielder David Fletcher for gambling on sports with the same bookmaker who to...MAY 20, 2024 • FOX SPORTS
This veteran infielder struck out the side at Triple-A with ... knuckleballs?! The late innings of lopsided contests are often times for things to get weird. But David Fletcher slinging unhittable knuckleballs? You can...
MAY 16, 2024 • MLB.COM
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Outrighted to Triple-A Fletcher was sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.
Impact Fletcher appeared in five games for Atlanta after being selected from Triple-A on April 16, going 2-for-8 with two RBI. He will remain in the organization as he returns to the minors, though he no longer holds a spot on the 40-man roster.
APRIL 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Travis d'Arnaud homers again and Bryce Elder shuts down Marlins in Braves' 3-0 win
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Roster bid falls short Atlanta reassigned Fletcher to minor-league camp Monday.
Impact He was sent to minor-league camp Monday along with Luke Williams, Andrew Velazquez and Eli White, with their demotions suggesting that Forrest Wall has won the final available bench spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Fletcher hit .324/.366/.351 over 16 games during Grapefruit League play.
MARCH 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Heads back to bench role Fletcher is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact Fletcher went 3-for-13 with a walk and an RBI while making starts out of the middle infield in each of the Angels' last four games, but he looks as though he'll move back into more of a utility role for the final week of the regular season. Zach Neto and Michael Stefanic will form the Halos' middle-infield tandem Monday, and the Angels will likely give both youngsters regular reps at shortstop and second base, respectively, the rest of the way.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Knocks homer in return Fletcher went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Friday in a loss to Detroit.
Impact Fletcher got the start at second base in his first game since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday. The veteran infielder plated one of Los Angeles' two runs with a solo shot to left field in the seventh inning. Fletcher isn't likely to see everyday playing time as the Angels evaluate their younger talent down the stretch of what has become a lost season. He's slashing .235/.264/.373 with two homers, nine RBI and four runs over 53 big-league plate appearances on the campaign.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Back in majors The Angels selected Fletcher's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.
Impact With Luis Rengifo (biceps) headed for the 60-day injured list, Fletcher will return to the active roster after being outrighted to Triple-A in July. The 29-year-old has slashed .213/.245/.298 across 49 plate appearances in the majors this year, and he'll likely serve as infield depth to close out the season.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Cast off 40-man Fletcher was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.
Impact The Angels made a slew of roster moves, and they are bringing Michael Stefanic and Trey Cabbage up from Triple-A to take the place of Fletcher and Anthony Rendon (shin contusion). Fletcher scored a five-year $24.5 million extension in April of 2021, and he has logged a .258/.292/.325 slash line with five home runs in 237 games over the past three seasons.
JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Settles in as primary shortstop Fletcher will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Impact Following Zach Neto's (oblique) placement on the injured list June 15, Andrew Velazquez received the first look as the Angels' new everyday shortstop, but that role appears to have since fallen to Fletcher. After producing a .742 OPS with six RBI and a run scored since his June 24 call-up from Triple-A Salt Lake, Fletcher will pick up his eighth start at shortstop Sunday in a nine-game stretch.
JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Drives in five Fletcher went 4-for-6 with a home run and five RBI in Saturday's 25-1 win over the Rockies.
Impact Fletcher hit just .125 over his first eight games this season before he was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake. He tripled his season hit total with Saturday's massive game, though it comes with a big Coors Field caveat. He's also up to six RBI through 22 plate appearances. The Angels have added Eduardo Escobar and Mike Moustakas in trades over the last two days, so Fletcher is unlikely to be more than a light-hitting and versatile infield depth option during this stint in the majors. His best path to playing time is at shortstop while Zach Neto (oblique) is on the injured list.
JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Recalled from Triple-A The Angels recalled Fletcher from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Impact Fletcher has been white-hot in Triple-A as of late. He's in the middle of a 15-game hitting streak and is slashing an absurd .530/.551/.697 over that span. Fletcher failed to produce during his brief MLB stint at the beginning of April, but his momentum from Triple-A could carry over into the bigs.
JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Back from bereavement list Fletcher (personal) was activated from the bereavement list by Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact The 29-year-old landed on the bereavement list Tuesday but is now back with the Bees after spending a few days with his family. Fletcher is in the midst of a 10-game hit streak with Salt Lake, which includes eight multi-hit performances, and has a .365/.422/.442 slash line in 173 plate appearances with the affiliate.
JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Placed on bereavement list Fletcher (personal) was placed on the minor-league bereavement list Tuesday.
Impact Fletcher will be away from the team for up to a few days as he attends a personal matter. The 29-year-old has impressed with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2023, recording a .365 average with nine extra-base hits, including a homer, over 156 at-bats in 38 contests. Andrew Velazquez (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday, which will help help cushion Fletcher's absence in Salt Lake's lineup.
JUNE 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Leaves with hamstring tightness Fletcher left Tuesday's game for Triple-A Salt Lake with hamstring tightness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Impact There was some thought that Fletcher was pulled in a potential return to the Los Angeles roster, but instead the shortstop exited with the hamstring injury. Fletcher should be considered day-to-day, and he will have to be added to the 40-man roster if the Angels do decide to bring him back to the active roster this summer.
JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Outrighted off 40-man roster Fletcher was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact Fletcher is now off the 40-man roster. The infielder was sent down to Salt Lake to make room for top prospect Zach Neto on Saturday, and the Angels are still on the hook for the remainder of the five-year, $24.5 million extension he signed with the team in April 0f 2021.
APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Angels SS prospect Zach Neto called up, starting vs Red Sox
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