The latest potential lifetime ban from MLB will not be the last, investigations are underway

As sports betting becomes more accepted and accessible, every major professional sports league in North America is trying to nip potential scandals in the bud.

Even a single confirmed story of a match being rigged or fixed would be bad for business. The credibility of a sporting event would be severely damaged and fanatical fans who believe the whole world is against their favorite team would finally feel vindicated in explaining their defeats. Any potential scandal would also result in legal consequences and gambling problems.

In 2024, no sports league has been as affected by gambling scandals as Major League Baseball. As spring training began, the baseball world was embroiled in a complex scandal surrounding Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Just as the situation began to calm down, gambling was once again at the center of discussion.

Major League Baseball is investigating San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for violating the league’s gambling policy. He faces a lifetime ban from playing.

Marcano is not the only player under investigation, however. According to Lindsey Adler of the Wall Street Journal, at least four other players are also being investigated and are facing disciplinary action.

Marcano is accused of betting on Pittsburgh Pirates games. The 24-year-old was on the injured list as a member of the Pirates at the time. The MLB and the MLB players’ associations are currently negotiating a final punishment for Marcano.

The Padres issued a statement Monday confirming the investigation.

“We are aware of an ongoing investigation by Major League Baseball regarding a matter that occurred while the player in question was a member of another organization and not affiliated with the San Diego Padres,” the team said in the statement. “We will have no further comment until the investigation process is complete.”

MLB’s gambling policy is set out in Rule 21. Illegal betting on any sport is prohibited, but players are legally allowed to bet on any sport except baseball. Betting on a baseball game involving teams other than the player’s own team will result in a one-year suspension, while betting on a game involving the player’s own team will result in a lifetime ban.

Rule 21(d) states: “Any player, umpire, official or employee of a club or league who wagers any amount on a baseball game in which the bettor has an obligation to perform shall be permanently ineligible.”

Marcano started as a second baseman for Pittsburgh last season, but suffered a torn ACL in his right knee while running bases last July. He has appeared in 149 games and has a .217 batting average with five home runs.

MLB is also investigating David Fletcher, a minor league player for the Atlanta Braves, who allegedly placed bets with the same illegal bookmaker as Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.