MLB investigates Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for gambling

Tucupita Marcano of the San Diego Padres is being investigated by Major League Baseball for alleged betting on baseball games.

“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 a statement. “We will have no further comment until the investigation process is complete.”

The 24-year-old infielder could be banned from baseball for life if found guilty. According to various reports, the allegations stem from when Marcano was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates last season and allegedly bet on games while on the team’s injured list.

Marcano has not played since tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament on July 24. He was claimed off waivers by the Padres on November 2 and placed on the 10-day injured list on March 19.

According to ESPN, if Marcano is punished by the league for betting on baseball, it would be the first gambling disciplinary action imposed by MLB since Pete Rose was banned from playing in 1989.

ESPN reported last month that former Angels player David Fletcher is being investigated by the league for allegedly placing bets with a Southern California bookie, even though he was not believed to have bet on baseball. The bookie in question is the same one that is believed to have taken millions of dollars in salary from Dodger slugger Shohei Ohtani, former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.

Mizuhara is scheduled to plead guilty in Orange County on Tuesday for allegedly stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to fund illegal sports betting. Ohtani has staunchly denied any knowledge of Mizuhara’s activities and insisted he never bet on sports.

City News Service contributed to this article.