Saalfrank of the Arizona Diamondbacks banned for one year for baseball betting

Arizona left-hander Andrew Saalfrank had a remarkable start to his major league career last season and was a valuable player in the Diamondbacks’ bullpen on their way to the 2023 World Series.

He will not be available for a replay as he was suspended for one year on Monday for violating Major League Baseball’s sports betting rules.

Saalfrank was found to have bet on baseball during the 2021-22 season while playing in the Diamondbacks’ minor league system. He did not place any bets on his minor league teams or the Diamondbacks, according to MLB, and did not attend any of the games he bet on.

“There is no evidence – and Saalfrank denies – that the results of the baseball games on which he wagered were compromised, influenced or manipulated in any way,” Major League Baseball said in a prepared statement.

Saalfrank, 26, missed the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and played at two levels of the Diamondbacks’ minor league system in 2022.

“Andrew made a bad decision,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. “The rules are very clear, they are explained to the players several times during spring training.”

“We have to protect the integrity of this game. Andrew knew that. He understood that. He made a really bad decision. What I know is human. I know Andrew feels remorse. He made a mistake. He feels terrible, but he will face the consequences.

“This is painful for him and painful for us. So all we can do is continue to encourage him to do the right thing, learn from it, and we will see him again.”

Saalfrank did not make it out of spring training to the Diamondbacks, but was promoted from Triple-A Reno in late April and made two appearances before returning to Reno to work on his command issues.

He was one of five players suspended Monday for violating Rule 21, which states: “Any player, umpire, official or employee of a club or league who wagers any amount on a baseball game in which he has no obligation to meet the bettor’s wager shall be declared ineligible for one year.”

San Diego infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban, and minor league players Oakland pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres pitcher Jay Groome and Philadelphia infielder Jose Rodriguez were also suspended for one year.

Marcano received the harshest punishment for betting on Pittsburgh Pirates games while a member of the Pirates in 2023. It turned out he had wagered more than $150,000 on baseball.

According to the MLB report, Saalfrank wagered a total of $445.87 on baseball, with all but $1.80 of that wagered on major league-related events. According to the report, Saalfrank won five of his 28 baseball-related bets and had a net loss of $272.64. The league said it was notified of the betting activity by a legal sportsbook.

Saalfrank can be re-admitted on June 5, 2025.

Saalfrank was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 draft out of Indiana University and, after success in two minor leagues, was promoted to the Major Leagues on September 4, 2023.

Saalfrank made his debut the following day against Colorado and developed into one of the Diamondbacks’ most reliable setup men down the stretch and in the playoffs.

He did not allow a single earned run in any of his 10 regular-season games and conceded just once, when he was awarded two unearned runs in a 13-inning, 7-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on September 16. He had three holds and worked his way up to a primary position as a left-handed setup player.

Saalfrank continued his run in the postseason with three scoreless games against Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first two rounds of the playoffs. He allowed one run in Games 3-4 of the NLCS against Philadelphia and had three scoreless appearances against Texas in the World Series.

The Diamondbacks’ bullpen solidified when closer Paul Sewald was signed from Seattle at the 2023 trade deadline, while Kevin Ginkel and Saalfrank settled into late-inning roles.

“It’s disappointing that people bet on baseball,” Sewald said in a radio interview. “We all know the rules.”

“That’s not who ‘Saalfy’ is. That kind of surprised me when I found out. It’s disappointing and we’re frustrated that we won’t have him this year. Hopefully he’ll come back stronger than ever.”