Fansided

Padres infielder facing lifetime MLB ban for alleged sports betting

This is not a good look for MLB.

By Drew Koch |
San Diego Padres shortstop Tucupita Marcano (16) during media photo day. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Padres shortstop Tucupita Marcano (16) during media photo day. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Sports betting is a hot topic, and it's only becoming more prevalent. Several states over the last few years have made it legal to bet on sports, and the industry as a whole has exploded. As such, sports leagues have begun to crack down even harder on athletes who subvert the rules and gamble on sporting events.

Major League Baseball is no stranger to this, as earlier this season Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was embroiled in a controversy involving an illegal bookmaking operation. It eventually came to light that Ohtani was the victim of massive theft and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has since plead guilty to a number of charges.

But now the San Diego Padres are being drug into this mess as well. It's being reported that Padres shortstop Tucupita Marcano is facing a potential lifetime ban for allegedly betting on baseball. Marcano is accused of betting on Pirates games while a member of the Pittsburgh roster last season.

Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano facing lifetime MLB ban for alleged sports betting

According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Marcano is one of multiple players accused of gambling on baseball. While the Collective Bargaining Agreement permits baseball players to gamble on other sports, betting on baseball is not allowed. This includes major league and minor league games, as well as skills competitions like the Home Run Derby. Basically, if the sport involves a ball, a bat, and glove, players should avoid gambling at all costs.

The Padres originally signed Marcano as an international free agent back in 2016. He spent several years in the Friars farm system before being traded to the Pirates in 2021 as part of a trade package for Adam Frazier. Marcano returned to San Diego after being plucked off waivers this past offseason.

Marcano hasn't played a single game this season while recovering from a torn ACL, and it would seem that his big league future is very much up in the air.

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