San Diego Padres shortstop Tucupita Marcano is reportedly under investigation by Major League Baseball for betting on the Pirates last season when he played for Pittsburgh.
If the allegations prove true, Marcano could face a lifetime ban from MLB. The Wall Street Journal reported that four additional players are under investigation for betting on baseball while playing in the minor leagues.
Baseball players aren’t allowed to bet on their sport, but they are allowed to wager on other sports. While betting on one’s own team carries a lifetime ban, wagering on other baseball teams can result in a one-year suspension from the league.
Out of action for nearly a year
Marcano, who hasn’t played since hurting his knee last July, allegedly bet on Pittsburgh last season while on injured reserve. In 149 career games over three seasons, he has batted .217 with five homers and 34 RBIs. This is his second stint with the Padres after originally signing with the organization out of Venezuela at the age of 16.
News of the investigations comes as baseball continues to grapple with the fallout of the Shohei Ohtani situation, wherein his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stole $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger to feed a gambling addiction.
Ohtani’s former Angels teammate, David Fletcher, is also under investigation for illegally betting with Mizuhara’s bookie.