Padres infielder accused of betting on multiple games while on the injured list last season; investigation ongoing; lifetime ban from the league possible.
In a shocking turn of events, another betting scandal has rocked Major League Baseball, with San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano reportedly facing a lifetime ban for allegedly betting on games.
The Wall Street Journal broke the news, revealing that Marcano, 24, is accused of placing bets on multiple MLB games during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season while he was on the injured list. The specifics of these bets remain unknown, but the report indicates that four other players are also under investigation for betting on minor-league contests.
ESPN has confirmed that the league's investigation into Marcano is ongoing, and a lifetime ban from the league "could be imminent." The Padres have issued a statement acknowledging the investigation and stating that they will not comment further until it is completed.
Marcano, a Venezuelan native, suffered a right ACL tear last season with the Pirates, ending his campaign after 75 games. During his time with Pittsburgh, he hit .233/.276/.356 with three homers, 12 doubles, two triples, and 18 RBIs over 202 at-bats.
Notably, Marcano's alleged betting activities occurred solely after he suffered his injury, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. To date, he has not played for the Padres at any level this season while recovering from his injury.
This scandal follows closely on the heels of the Los Angeles Dodgers' former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pleading guilty to federal bank and tax fraud charges after stealing nearly $17 million from Shohei Ohtani to cover gambling losses. Mizuhara is facing a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.
In the recent past, the NBA has also handed down a lifetime ban to Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for intentionally limiting his playing time and betting on games. Every professional sports league in the country maintains strict gambling policies to prevent conflicts of interest and potential match-fixing.
In MLB's case, betting on a game involving a team other than the player's own would result in a one-year suspension. However, betting on one's own team is a grave offense punishable by a lifetime ban from the league.
Marcano began his career with the Padres, making his debut in 2021 when he batted .182/.280/.205 over 25 games. He had a limited role with the Pirates in 2022 before reaching a career-high in games played in 2023.
The outcome of this investigation will have significant implications for Marcano's career and the Padres' organization. Should he receive a lifetime ban, it would effectively end his playing days in Major League Baseball.
The MLB investigation into Tucupita Marcano's alleged betting activities continues, and further updates are expected in the coming days or weeks.
