Major League Baseball (MLB) announced on Tuesday that it has sanctioned five players for violating the league’s gambling policy by betting on MLB games. The sanctions come after a Wall Street Journal report detailed the violations.
Four players—Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank, Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres minor-league pitcher Jay Groome, and Phillies minor-league infielder José Rodriguez—received one-year suspensions for betting while they were minor-league players. San Diego Padres utilityman Tucupita Marcano, who placed bets on MLB games while on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ injured list, was handed a lifetime ban from the league.
Marcano, who reportedly made 231 MLB-related bets totaling $87,319, was a once-promising prospect who played in 149 games across three seasons. His gambling included bets on 25 games involving his own team. Marcano’s career earnings are around $2.7 million, with a league-minimum salary of $740,000 this season.
Saalfrank wagered $444.07 on MLB games between September 2021 and March 2022. He was a crucial member of Arizona’s bullpen during their National League title run last season but struggled this season and was sent to Triple-A in April.
Kelly, a former Padres first-round pick, placed $99.22 in bets on MLB games in October 2021. After debuting with the Phillies in 2022, he joined Oakland and was solidifying his position in the majors with a 2.59 ERA in 31 1/3 innings this season.
Groome, who was a top prospect, placed 32 MLB-related bets during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Injuries and off-field issues have stunted his career, and his future in the majors is now uncertain.
Rodriguez, signed by the White Sox in 2017, appeared in one MLB game and was traded to the Phillies in April. He spent this season as a depth piece in Double-A.
The gambling scandal highlights the pervasive influence of betting in professional sports. Despite MLB’s clear rules against gambling on its games, the proximity and ease of access to betting apps may have contributed to these violations. MLB has emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game and hopes that the severe punishment of Marcano will serve as a deterrent to future transgressions.
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