MLB Infielder Tucupita Marcano Under Investigation for Betting on Baseball, Facing Potential Lifetime Ban
New York, NY - Major League Baseball (MLB) is investigating San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for allegedly betting on baseball games. According to multiple sources, Marcano is under investigation for placing bets on games involving the Pittsburgh Pirates while he was a member of their team last season.
Marcano's alleged betting activity comes with potential severe consequences as MLB Rule 21 explicitly states that a player who bets on baseball games is subject to a lifetime ban. This rule applies regardless of whether the player bet on his own team or not.
The investigation into Marcano's betting activities began when information regarding his wagers was flagged by a sportsbook and reported to MLB. The sources also confirmed that Marcano placed the bets while he was on the injured list last season.
MLB is not alone in its investigation as other organizations, including ESPN and The Washington Post, have reported similar findings. According to reports, MLB continues to investigate Ohtani's former teammate with the Los Angeles Angels, David Fletcher, for betting on sports with the same illegal bookmaker who took wagers from Marcano.
Marcano is a 24-year-old infielder from Venezuela who began his MLB career with San Diego in 2021. He spent the last two seasons with Pittsburgh before rejoining the Padres this past offseason. In his MLB career, he has played in 149 games with a .217 batting average and five home runs.
This is not the first time MLB has faced gambling controversies. In March, news broke that Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, had siphoned millions away from the Dodgers superstar to pay off gambling debts. Mizuhara has since agreed to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.
MLB has yet to comment on the investigation into Marcano's betting activities, and Marcano's agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Pirates also declined comment, stating that they are cooperating with MLB in its investigation.
As baseball fans eagerly await the outcome of this investigation, it is essential to remember that all individuals are innocent until proven guilty. However, if Marcano is found to have violated MLB's gambling policy, he could become the second pro athlete banned for life over sports betting this year after Jontay Porter was punished by the NBA in April.
