Padres' Tucupita Marcano Banned for Life for Betting on Baseball; Four Others Suspended

Jun 4, 2024, 01:11 PM

San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano has been banned for life from Major League Baseball for betting on baseball games, including 25 bets on Pittsburgh Pirates games while he was on the injured list. Marcano placed a total of 231 bets on MLB games, wagering over $150,000, with $87,319 specifically on MLB-related bets. He won only 4.3% of his bets. In addition to Marcano, four other players, including Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres pitcher Jay Groome, Phillies infielder José Rodríguez, and Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank, have been suspended for one year for betting on baseball games. The investigation into Marcano's actions revealed that he did not appear in the games he bet on, and there is no evidence to suggest that the outcomes were compromised. The MLB's decision marks the first lifetime ban for gambling since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling on sports betting. Marcano has been declared permanently ineligible. The Pirates issued a statement saying, "We are aware of the matter that’s under investigation and are fully cooperating." MLB commissioner Rob Manfred also commented on the penalties announced.