Fightins infielder suspended for one year for violating MLB sports betting rules | Berks Regional News

READING, Pennsylvania – A Reading Fightin’ Phils infielder is one of five players suspended by Major League Baseball (MLB) for violating the league’s sports betting rules and policies.

Fighting Phils infielder José Rodríguez has been suspended for one year following an investigation by the MLB Investigations Division.

In March 2024, a legal sports betting operator alerted MLB that it had identified past baseball betting activity from accounts associated with several major and minor league players.

According to league officials, Rodríguez placed 31 baseball bets during the 2021-22 season, including 28 MLB-related bets and three on college baseball games, all while on a minor league contract with the White Sox.

His MLB bets included seven involving the White Sox major league team while he was assigned to the club’s Double-A affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama. Two club-related bets revolved around the results, while the others were over/under bets for runs scored in the game.

Rodríguez is said to have wagered a total of $749.09 on baseball, including $724.09 on MLB-related bets. He did not attend any of the games he bet on, and he did not place any bets involving his team, officials say.

According to MLB Rule 21, “Any player, umpire, club or league official or employee who wagers any amount on a baseball game in which the bettor has an obligation to perform shall be voided permanently.” The rule also states that bets on baseball games “in which the bettor does not have an obligation to perform shall be voided for one year.”

Padres infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano was placed on the permanent banned list for violating the league’s sports betting rules and policies. Four other players were suspended for one year for other gambling-related violations.

Athletics right-handed pitcher Michael Kelly was suspended for one year, as were minor league players Jay Groome (Padres), José Rodríguez (Phillies) and Andrew Saalfrank (Diamondbacks).

League officials say none of the five players played in any of the games they bet on, and all denied having any inside information relevant to the bets.

According to MLB, the data does not indicate that the outcomes of the games these players bet on were compromised, influenced or manipulated in any way.

“Strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s gambling conduct rules and policies is a critical component of our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for fans,” said Commissioner Rob Manfred.

“The long-standing prohibition on betting on Major League Baseball games has been a fundamental principle for over a century. We have made clear that the privilege of playing baseball comes with the responsibility to refrain from certain behaviors that are legal for other people to engage in.”

According to officials, none of the players have appealed their suspension.