MLB clears Yu Darvish of involvement in brother’s gambling ring

(AP) A Major League Baseball investigation found no links between Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish and the alleged illegal gambling activities of his younger brother, Sho, sources have informed the Dallas Morning News.

According to the report, Yu Darvish was never suspected of any wrongdoing by the Osaka police, which spent more than one year investigating his brother’s activities. Sho was placed under arrest in Japan in October and charged one month later.

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Sho allegedly took bets on both MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) games, according to The Japan Times, which triggered MLB’s investigation earlier this week. The league followed its standard protocols for any investigation involving alleged gambling on its games, according to a league spokesman, before determining Yu Darvish’s innocence.

From the Dallas Morning News’ report:

MLB consistently investigates suggestions of anyone in the game involved with gambling. In the last two years, Pittsburgh pitcher Jeff Locke was cleared after allegations surfaced, and Miami pitcher Jarred Cosart was fined for placing illegal bets on sports other than baseball.

The anti-gambling Rule 21 is prominently posted in every major league clubhouse. The rule can be interpreted as consorting with gamblers and passing along information. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays in 1983 after they took jobs with casinos in Atlantic City. N.J. Commissioner Peter Ueberroth lifted the suspension in 1985.

Despite never being under serious suspicion, Yu Darvish maintained his innocence this week in a statement issued by his representatives with the Wasserman Media Group.

“While I understand that Major League Baseball must conduct an investigation, I am certain that they will find that I had no involvement in this matter whatsoever,” Darvish said.

It’s clear that Yu Darvish had nothing to hide, but it’s also clear MLB takes any and all gambling allegations seriously, and will exhaust all resources to determine the involvement of players, coaches and executives connected to those allegations.

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As for Darvish the pitcher, he missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in spring training. He’s expected to rejoin the Texas Rangers rotation in May, where he’ll form a really strong 1-2 punch with left-hander Cole Hamels.

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