San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano under investigation for sports betting, could face lifetime ban

SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) — San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano is under investigation by Major League Baseball officials for allegedly violating the league's gaming policy , according to several reports.

Marcano, who joined the Padres in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates and has spent the season so far on the long-term injured list, was accused of gambling on games shortly after suffered a season-ending ACL injury in July of last year.

In a statement, Padres officials said they were aware of the investigation “regarding a matter 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 investigative process is complete,” the statement continued.

The Associated Press reported that MLB was looking into the allegations, citing a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.

Marcano was first signed with the Padres as an amateur free agent from Venezuela in 2016. He was traded to the Pirates in 2021 and returned to the Padres on waivers last November.

If convicted of betting on baseball, the 24-year-old could face a lifetime ban, ESPN and the Wall Street Journal reported. According to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the ongoing investigation Monday afternoon, punishment could be imminent.

The betting allegations against Marcano come in a season where gambling looms large.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been accused of stealing more than $16 million from the designated hitter to pay his debts with an illegal bookmark. The charges escalated into federal bank and tax fraud charges last month, to which Mizuhara pleaded guilty after reaching a deal with prosecutors.

According to the Wall Street Journal, MLB officials are also investigating Ohtani's Los Angeles Angels teammate David Fletcher, who is accused of using the same illegal bookmarker to bet on sports.

Four other minor league players are also under investigation for betting on baseball, the report added, but their names and affiliations were not released. However, the report notes that there is no evidence that these alleged bets led to manipulation of the game.

Nexstar's KSWB/KUSI has reached out to MLB for further comment on the investigation.