Padres Tucupita Marcano faces potential lifetime ban for betting on MLB games – NBC 7 San Diego

Lina PortmanJune 4, 2024

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Tucupita Marcano, an infielder for the San Diego Padres organization, is under investigation by Major League Baseball for violating the league's gaming policy. The Wall Street Journal reports that Marcano and four unnamed minor leaguers are under surveillance for betting on games during the 2023 season, when Marcano was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Marcano was originally signed by the Padres in 2016 from Venezuela. He reached the big leagues with the Friars in 2021 and appeared in 25 games before being traded to the Pirates in a deal to bring Adam Frazier to San Diego. Last year, he had the best year of his MLB career when he suffered a torn knee ligament.

MLB says Marcano, 24, began betting on Pirates games while recovering from surgery to repair his knee. After the season, Marcano was fired by Pittsburgh. He joined the Padres in November as a waiver pickup, but has yet to play a game as he continues his rehabilitation.

In a statement to NBC 7 SportsWrap, the Padres confirmed they were informed of the allegations:

We are aware of an active investigation by Major League Baseball regarding an incident that occurred when the player in question was a member of another organization and not affiliated with the San Diego Padres. We will have no further comment until the investigation process is complete.

San Diego Padres

MLB policy allows players to bet on non-diamond sports, but under no circumstances can they bet on baseball or softball at any level. If a player is found to have bet on other teams, he faces a one-year suspension. Anyone who bets on their own team's matches, which is the case with Marcano, is immediately eligible for a lifetime ban.