MLB announced Tuesday that it has suspended five players, including Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, for violating the league's sports betting rules and policies.
Kelly, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano and minor league players Jay Groome, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jose Rodriguez and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Sahlfrank all face disciplinary action following an investigation by MLB's Division of Investigation.
Kelly was suspended for one year by MLB. According to betting data, Kelly, who was a minor league player for the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate at the time, placed 10 bets on nine MLB games between Oct. 5 and Oct. 17, 2021. The bets included bets on the outcome of the game, over/under runs, and strikeouts per pitcher.
All other players involved were also suspended for one year, except for Marcano, who was banned for life from baseball after betting on 25 Pittsburgh Pirates games while playing for the team and being injured in all of those games.
Three of the nine games Kelly bet on were on the Astros major league team. He did not play in any of the games he bet on, nor did he bet on any of the teams he represented.
Kelly's account bet $99.22 on MLB games and won five times overall, resulting in a net profit of $28.30 on bets.
Kelly was not part of the Athletics organization at the time he was involved in the gambling, but the Athletics released a statement on the matter Tuesday morning.
“The Athletics are sorry to learn of the matter involving Michael Kelly,” the statement read. “While we cannot comment on the specifics, this violation occurred prior to Michael joining the Athletics and we fully support the need to comply with all provisions of MLB's sports betting policy and Rule 21.”
“We will continue to educate all members of our organization about their obligations under the policy.”
Oakland acquired Kelly off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians last November. He appeared in 28 games for the Athletics and posted a 2.59 ERA (third-best among Athletics relievers) in 31 1/3 innings over 28 relief appearances.
MLB was informed in March by a legal sports betting operator that it had identified historical baseball betting activity in accounts linked to multiple major and minor leaguers. The league collected data from that operator and other sportsbooks, including bet verification data.
None of the five players identified took part in the games they bet on and all denied having inside information about betting or that the games were rigged or manipulated.
Rule 21 of the Major League Baseball Rules states, “Any player, umpire, club or league official or employee who bets any amount on any baseball game in which he has no obligation shall be disqualified for one year. … Any player, umpire, club or league official or employee who bets any amount on any baseball game in which he has an obligation shall be disqualified for life.”
“Strict enforcement of Major League Baseball's rules and policies regulating gambling activity is an essential component of maintaining our top priority of protecting the integrity of the game for our fans,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said (via MLB.com). Prohibiting sports officials from betting on Major League Baseball games has been a fundamental principle for more than a century. We have been clear that the privilege of playing baseball comes with a responsibility to refrain from certain types of conduct that are legal for others.
“Since the Supreme Court decision legalized sports betting, we have worked with licensed sports betting operators and other third parties to ensure we are in a better position from an integrity perspective through the transparency that a regulated sports betting system brings. MLB will continue to invest heavily in integrity monitoring, education programs and awareness activities with the goal of strict adherence to this fundamental rule of our game.”
