Darvish denies any wrongdoing in brother's gambling affair

Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish denies any involvement with gambling despite his brother's arrest in Japan for operating an illegal gambling ring on US and Japanese baseball games. Darvish, a 29-year-old right-hander, is under investigation by Major League Baseball after the Japan Times reported Sho Darvish's arrest in October after a year-long investigation. Police said Sho Darvish accepted 1,850 wagers valued at about $85 each, with no indication any of the games involved were those of the Rangers. Yu Darvish denied any involvement with gambling or his brother's activities. "I am not and have never been involved with gambling activities," Darvish said. "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. I will not comment on this matter again, out of respect for Major League Baseball's investigation, and I am focused on preparing for the upcoming season." Yu Darvish has not been implicated by Japanese authorities, but Major League Baseball officials have been told of the Japanese probe and have cooperated with investigators. "We are aware of this situation and are looking into it, per our standard protocols," said major league vice president for communications Michael Teetan. Yu Darvish, who missed the entire 2015 Major League Baseball campaign after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, is expected to return in mid-May, or about six weeks into the six-month 2016 season.