MLB is facing another betting scandal as San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano is reportedly facing a potential lifetime ban for allegedly betting on games. The Wall Street Journal reported that Marcano, along with four other players, is under investigation for betting on MLB and minor-league games. The specifics of Marcano’s bets are currently unknown, but the league’s investigation is ongoing and a lifetime ban could be imminent. The Padres released a statement acknowledging the investigation and stating they would not comment further until the process is complete.
Marcano, a 24-year-old Venezuela native, is accused of placing bets on games while he was on the injured list with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. He suffered a right ACL tear that ended his season after 75 games, where he posted a batting line of .233/.276/.356 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. Marcano has not played for the Padres this season as he continues to recover from his injury. The betting scandal involving Marcano comes on the heels of the case involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who pled guilty to federal bank and tax fraud charges for stealing $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar to cover gambling losses.
The NBA also dealt with a similar situation this past season, as Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban for purposely limiting his availability in games for betting purposes and also betting on games. Like all professional sports leagues, MLB has strict gambling policies in place to prevent players from betting on their own sport. While players can legally bet on other sports, any involvement in betting on games within their own league can result in severe penalties. According to MLB’s policy, betting on a baseball game involving another team would lead to a one-year suspension, while betting on your own team carries a lifetime ban from the league.
Marcano began his career with the Padres, making his debut in 2021 and playing 25 games with a .182 batting average. He then spent time with the Pirates before his injury ended his season, limiting him to 75 games in 2022. Marcano’s career-high in games played came in 2023, but his future in MLB is now in jeopardy due to the betting allegations. As the league continues its investigation into Marcano and the other players involved, the potential consequences of a lifetime ban loom large. The impact of this scandal on the integrity of the game and the consequences for those involved will be closely monitored as MLB takes action to address the issue.
