Padres infielder faces lifetime ban from MLB for alleged sports betting

Sports betting is a hot and increasingly popular topic. In recent years, several states have legalized sports betting, and the industry as a whole has exploded. That’s why sports leagues have started cracking down even harder on athletes who break the rules and bet 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 emerged that Ohtani had been the victim of a massive theft and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has since pleaded guilty to several charges.

But now the San Diego Padres are also mired in this mess. It has been reported that Padres shortstop Tucupita Marcano is facing a possible lifetime ban for allegedly betting on baseball. Marcano is accused of betting on Pirates games while he was a member of Pittsburgh's team last season.

According to Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Marcano is one of several players accused of playing baseball. Although the collective bargaining agreement allows baseball players to bet on other sports, betting on baseball is not permitted. This includes major and minor league games, as well as skills competitions like the Home Run Derby. Basically, if the sport involves a ball, bat and glove, players should avoid playing at all costs.

The Padres originally signed Marcano as an international free agent in 2016. He spent several years in the Friars' farm system before being traded to the Pirates in 2021 in a trade deal for Adam Frazier. Marcano returned to San Diego after being cleared of waivers last offseason.

Marcano hasn't played a single game this season while recovering from a torn ACL, and it appears his big league future is very uncertain.

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