DETROIT (AP) — Pittsburgh left-hander Jeff Locke says it’s “scary” to think that someone could have been spreading false rumors about him fixing games.

According to a report by Sports Illustrated and The Center for Investigative Reporting, a sports handicapper — who knew Locke growing up — was offering advice in 2012 claiming Locke was throwing games. Major League Baseball investigators looked into the matter, and the handicapper said it was a hoax that began because he felt slighted by Locke after he tried to contact the pitcher on social media and got no reply. The case was eventually closed.

Locke says the episode was a shock to him, but it wasn’t a distraction.

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