Major League Baseball has permanently banned San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano from betting on baseball. The league also suspended four other players for one year each for placing unrelated bets.
This severe action emphasizes MLB’s commitment to preserving the sport's integrity. According to Daily Mail, Tucupita Marcano, 24, placed 387 bets on baseball, including 231 related to Major League Baseball, between October 16, 2022, and November 1, 2023. These wagers totaled more than $150,000.
Among Marcano’s bets, 25 were on Pittsburgh Pirates games while he was on the injured list and receiving medical treatment at PNC Park. Marcano did not play in any of the games he bet on. He focused his bets on game outcomes, losing all of his parlay bets involving the Pirates and winning only 4.3% of his MLB-related bets.
Marcano has not played since tearing his right ACL on July 24 of the previous year. After being claimed by the San Diego Padres off waivers on November 2, he was placed on the 10-day injured list on March 19. MLB’s strict regulations around gambling have become even more rigorous following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down a federal law against sports betting in May 2018.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred stated, "The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball's rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans."
In addition to Marcano, Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly was declared ineligible for one year for betting on baseball while in the minor leagues. Minor leaguers Jay Groome of San Diego, Jose Rodríguez of Philadelphia, and Andrew Saalfrank of Arizona were also suspended for one year each for betting on major league games.
None of these players participated in the games they wagered on, and all denied possessing insider information relevant to their bets. The league's action followed a tip-off from a legal sports betting operator. MLB confirmed that the players’ testimonies aligned with data received from the sportsbook.
Rob Manfred emphasized, "The longstanding prohibition against betting on Major League Baseball games by those in the sport has been a bedrock principle for over a century."
Tucupita Marcano is the first active major leaguer banned under the gambling provision since Jimmy O'Connell in 1924.
In 1989, Pete Rose accepted a lifetime ban after an investigation confirmed he bet on Cincinnati Reds games while managing the team. This crackdown on gambling reflects MLB's enduring commitment to the sport's integrity.
Another notable incident involved Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers after a federal gambling investigation. Mizuhara agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud, allegedly stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off debts.
These suspensions and bans underscore the importance of adhering to MLB’s regulations. Maintaining the integrity of baseball remains a top priority, ensuring the game stays fair and trustworthy for fans. The disciplinary actions against Marcano and others illustrate MLB’s proactive approach to enforcing its gambling policies to prevent future infractions and uphold the sport's standards.
