MBB is investigating allegations of baseball gambling by San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano, according to a person briefed on the investigation. Marcano is being investigated for betting on Pittsburgh Pirates games when he was on the major league injured list for them last season. MLB’s penalty for players playing against their own team is a lifetime ban.
Additionally, four other players will face disciplinary action for betting on baseball while playing in the minor leagues, according to the source. The names of the other four players have not yet been released. The Wall Street Journal first reported news of the investigations.
“We are aware of an active investigation by Major League Baseball regarding a matter unrelated to the San Diego Padres when the player was a member of another organization,” the Padres said in a statement. “We will not have any comment until the investigation process is complete.”
MLB and the MLBPA declined to comment.
Baseball rules prohibit players from betting on MLB and minor league games. Under Rule 21, any player who plays in non-league baseball is banned for one year, and any player who plays against their own team faces a lifetime ban from MLB.
MLB’s investigation into Marcano is the latest example of gambling in pro sports. Ipe Mizuhara, former interpreter and manager of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, agreed to plead guilty in May to bank fraud charges for stealing $17 million from Ohtani’s accounts to cover gambling debts. In April, the NBA suspended Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for betting on the league’s games and sharing inside information.
The most famous example of a lifetime ban from MLB is career hitter Pete Rose. An MLB investigation found that he bet on games from 1985 to 1987 as a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds.
Marcano, 24, has not played since July 24, 2023, with a torn right ACL. In 2023, he slashed .233/.276/.356 with three home runs and 18 RBIs.
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