A US sports channel has reported that Major League Baseball has opened an investigation into allegations that former Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher was involved in illegal gambling.

ESPN said on Monday that the MLB has launched a probe into Fletcher's alleged gambling with an illegal bookmaker.

The sports channel earlier reported that Fletcher bet on sports, but not baseball, with the bookmaker who also took wagers from Mizuhara Ippei, former interpreter of Japanese baseball star Ohtani Shohei.

Media had reported that Fletcher was present when Mizuhara first met the bookmaker.

In an interview with NHK last month, Fletcher declined to comment on Mizuhara or sports betting.

Fletcher and Ohtani both made their Major League debut with the Angels in 2018. They were teammates until last year. Fletcher now plays for the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate.