MLB is investigating San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for allegedly gambling on baseball, according to a person briefed on the investigation. Marcano is being investigated for betting on Pittsburgh Pirates games while he was on the major-league injured list for them last season, per the source. The MLB penalty for players betting on their own teams is a lifetime ban.
In addition, four other players face potential discipline for betting on baseball while playing in the minor leagues, per the source. The names of the four other players are not known at this time. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the news of the investigations.
“We are aware of an active investigation by Major League Baseball regarding a matter that occurred when the player in question was a member of another organization and not affiliated with the San Diego Padres,” the Padres said in a statement. “We will not have any further comment until the investigative process has been completed.”
MLB and the MLBPA declined to comment.
Baseball’s rules forbid players from betting on MLB and minor-league games. Per Rule 21, any player who bets on baseball that doesn’t involve his team is suspended for one year and any player who bets on their own team faces a lifetime ban from MLB.
MLB’s investigation into Marcano is the latest example of gambling’s invasion of pro sports. Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter and manager, Ippei Mizuhara, agreed to plead guilty in May to charges of bank fraud for stealing almost $17 million from Ohtani’s accounts to cover gambling debts. In April, the NBA banned Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter from the league for betting on the league’s games and sharing inside information.
The most notable example of a lifetime ban from MLB was career-hits leader Pete Rose. An MLB investigation found he bet on games as a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds from 1985 to 1987.
Marcano, 24, hasn’t played since July 24, 2023, due to a torn right ACL. In 2023, he slashed .233/.276/.356 with three home runs and 18 RBIs.
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