Major League Baseball recently announced that five players, including Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano, have been suspended for violating the league’s sports betting rules. Kelly’s suspension is for one year, while Marcano was declared permanently ineligible. An investigation discovered that Kelly placed 10 bets between October 5, 2021 and October 17, 2021 while he was playing in the minor leagues for the Houston Astros. He wagered $99.22, won five bets, and came out with a net win of $28.30. Notably, Kelly did not participate in any of the games on which he placed bets and did not involve his team in any way.
The Athletics released a statement expressing their disappointment in the situation involving Michael Kelly. They affirmed their commitment to supporting MLB’s sports betting policy and ensuring that all players adhere to Rule 21. The organization plans to educate all members of their team on their obligations under the policy. Meanwhile, Phillies minor leaguer José Rodríguez received a year-long suspension for sports betting violations, as did Diamondbacks minor leaguer Andrew Saalfrank and Padres minor league pitcher Jay Groome.
MLB has been cracking down on sports betting violations in recent years, with several high-profile suspensions already this season. The league has strict policies against sports betting and urges players to report any suspicious activity they may witness or experience themselves. It is important for all players to understand their responsibilities under these policies to avoid facing similar consequences in the future.
