Major League Baseball (MLB) is currently investigating San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for allegedly violating the league’s gambling policy, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. According to the report, Marcano engaged in gambling on Pirates games while he was on Pittsburgh’s injured list last year. If found guilty of breaking the rules, Marcano could potentially face a lifetime ban from the league.
A spokesperson for MLB has confirmed that Marcano is indeed under investigation, as reported by CBS Sports on Monday. The Padres, Marcano’s current team, have released a statement stating that they are aware of the ongoing investigation by MLB. The team refrained from making further comments until the investigative process is completed. Additionally, according to the Journal, four other minor-league players have also been accused of gambling on MLB games.
MLB’s rules permit players to gamble legally on non-baseball sports, but strict regulations prohibit gambling on baseball or softball at any level. For a first offense of gambling on other teams, a player faces a one-year suspension, while betting on one’s own team can lead to a lifetime ban, such as the case with Marcano.
In a separate incident earlier this season, Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, was indicted for embezzling over $16 million from Ohtani to settle gambling debts with an illegal bookie. Mizuhara could potentially face up to 33 years in prison as a result. MLB is also investigating Braves minor-leaguer David Fletcher for placing bets with the same illegal bookmaker. While neither Mizuhara nor Fletcher allegedly bet on baseball
