David Fletcher To Be Investigated For Involvement In Gambling Situation
The expectation is that Major League Baseball will investigate Atlanta Braves infielder David Fletcher's reported involvement in the gambling situation with Mathew Bowyer, the Southern California bookmaker who also took wagers from Shohei Ohtani's long-time interpreter. Per ESPN, Fletcher placed bets on multiple sports but did not bet on baseball. MLB players are allowed to bet on other sports, but doing so through illegal bookmakers such as Bowyer is prohibited and could bring a suspension from the commissioner. The 29-year-old currently is playing in the minors at Triple-A Gwinnett. He was brought up briefly when Ozzie Albies was on the injured list and went 2-for-8 with two RBI in five games played. Once the league's investigation is complete, which could take some time, Fletcher could be facing a suspension.
Atlanta Braves infielder David Fletcher has been outrighted off of the club's 40-man roster and assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Fletcher was passed through waivers and unsurprisingly went unclaimed given the $15 million he is still owed on an extension signed while a member of the Los Angeles Angels. The Braves acquired the 29-year-old in a trade with the Angels last week and while he could still crack the club's big-league roster out of spring training, he is coming off of three consecutive miserable seasons at the plate. Fletcher most recently hit .247 with two homers and a .628 OPS across only 33 games in the big leagues last season, production that graded out 30% below the league average, as per his 70 wRC+. His quality defense and versatility would be his paths back to the majors despite a complete lack of power at the plate.
Infielder David Fletcher and catcher Max Stassi are on the move from the Los Angeles Angels to the Atlanta Braves. Fletcher is a 29-year-old utility man who provided a 0.1 WAR in 89 games last season. Stassi is 32 years old and hit .180 in 2022. He did not play in 2023 due to a family medical issue. If Stassi is to return in 2024, it probably won't be with Atlanta, as they are stacked at catcher. Neither player moves the needle much in fantasy leagues.
The Los Angeles Angels are recalling infielder David Fletcher from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, according to sources familiar with the situation. Fletcher was hitting .383/.432/.478 at Salt Lake with a home run, 10 doubles, two triples, 24 RBI, three stolen bases and 34 runs scored in 43 games. With Gio Urshela (pelvis) out for the rest of 2023, both Fletcher and Eduardo Escobar, who was acquired in a trade with the Mets on Friday, will give the Angels more infield depth moving forward. Fletcher had just two hits in 16 at-bats in eight games earlier this year for LA, but he has a .277 career average in six big-league seasons and could be worth a pickup in AL-only leagues if he stays hot at the plate.
Los Angeles Angels second baseman David Fletcher (hand) is heading to the injured list after he was hit on the right hand last Saturday. Fletcher's scan came back negative, but there's a possibility of a bone bruise. The hope is that he can play the last week of the regular season. The 28-year-old's injury doesn't sound very serious, but he's going on the shelf regardless. He entered the game in the sixth inning on Friday night against the Seattle Mariners and went 0-for-1 with a strikeout and a run scored. Fletcher just hasn't done much for fantasy managers at all in 2022, hitting .259/.296/.349 with only two home runs, 15 RBI, 19 runs scored and one stolen base in 189 at-bats during an injury-plagued campaign.
David Fletcher Fouls Ball Off Foot Monday, Exits Early
Los Angeles Angels middle infielder David Fletcher (foot) was pinch-hit for by Jose Rojas in the seventh inning of Monday's game against the Mariners after fouling a pitch off of his foot in his previous at-bat, per MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. Fantasy managers should check in for further information on the severity of the issue following the game. Fletcher has slashed .275/.313/.418 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 98 plate appearances this season and went 2-for-3 with two singles before exiting the game.
Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher (foot) is not in the lineup for his team's game against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. Fletcher was hit in the foot by a pitch on Thursday and is still experiencing soreness in the area, although he will be available as a pinch-hitter if needed. Manager Phil Nevin told reporters that he expects Fletcher to be able to return to action on Saturday. Fletcher is hitting .200 with one homer, five runs, and five RBI across 55 at-bats in 2022.
Los Angeles Angels second baseman David Fletcher (hips) has been activated from the 60-day injured list and is back in the starting lineup on Thursday against Texas Rangers right-hander Spencer Howard, starting at second base and hitting ninth in the batting order. Fletcher has been out since early May after undergoing surgery on both of his adductor muscles. The 28-year-old won't be a savior for the floundering Angels, but he could be useful in deeper fantasy leagues as infield depth for his contact-oriented approach at the plate. Fletcher had gone only 6-for-38 (.158) with no homers and two RBI in 14 games before he went under the knife, but his poor early performance may have been related to his injury.
Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher (hip) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake last Tuesday. He struggled over his first four games with the Salt Lake Bees, going just 1-for-11 at the plate. However, he came through with a 2-for-4 game on Sunday, hitting two singles in the contest. Fletcher has been out since early May after undergoing hip surgery. He was slashing just .158/.220/.263 over 14 games with the Angels prior to landing on the injured list. It seems likely that he will be back with the team soon after the All-Star break.
David Fletcher Takes Batting Practice On Wednesday
Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher (hip) was able to take live batting practice on Wednesday. Fletcher continues to recover from surgery, but it's nice to see him making progress. The Angels are hopeful that Fletcher will be able to return in mid-July. He's expected to need a rehab assignment before rejoining the Angels roster. Fletcher was heavily struggling before landing on the injured list, but he does have a strong track record.
