MLB punishes umpire Pat Hoberg after investigation into gambling rule violation

Major League Baseball is punishing umpire Pat Hoberg following an investigation into violating the league’s gambling rules, it told Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal The athlete in a statement on Friday afternoon.

Hoberg, 37, has appealed the decision.

“During this year’s spring training, Major League Baseball opened an investigation into a possible violation of MLB’s sports betting policies by umpire Pat Hoberg,” the MLB said. The athlete in a statement. “Mr. Hoberg was removed from the field during the duration of this investigation. Although MLB’s investigation did not reveal evidence that games manipulated by Mr. Hoberg were compromised or tampered with in any way, MLB determined that disciplinary action was warranted.”

The league did not specify which discipline this was in its statement.

“Mr. Hoberg has chosen to appeal our decision,” MLB said. “As such, we cannot comment further until the appeals process is complete.”

Hoberg has long been considered one of the best umpires in baseball, but has not officiated a single game in 2024.