Major League Baseball (MLB) has reinstated four players who had been suspended for one year due to violations of its gambling policy. Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks), Michael Kelly (Oakland Athletics), Jay Groome (San Diego Padres), and José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies) were all banned in June of last year for betting on baseball games. They are now eligible to return to play.
While professional baseball players are allowed to participate in sports betting, MLB strictly prohibits them from wagering on baseball games. More severe penalties apply if a player bets on games involving their own team.
Tucupita Marcano, for example, received a lifetime ban last year after betting over $150,000, including on Pittsburgh Pirates games while he was a member of the team.
Different outcomes for the reinstated players
Michael Kelly has already made his return, pitching 1⅓ scoreless innings to contribute to Oakland’s 14-3 victory over Minnesota. His betting activity was minimal—$99.22 over a 12-day span in October 2021—and did not involve his own team.
Jay Groome, who placed $453.74 in bets over three days in July 2021 while still with the Red Sox, has not been retained by the Padres and is now a free agent. His infractions only surfaced after his trade to San Diego, which included former All-Star Eric Hosmer and two minor leaguers.
José Rodríguez, who bet a total of $749.09 from September 2021 to June 2022, initially returned to Phillies training camp but was also not offered a new contract.
Andrew Saalfrank has been reassigned to the Arizona Complex League. He placed 29 bets totaling $445, including four on Diamondbacks games while he was in the minor leagues.
MLB’s approach to betting and integrity
To maintain the integrity of the game, MLB works closely with sports betting platforms to monitor activity and ensure rules are upheld. The league has also raised concerns about prediction markets, which they argue could compromise the sport’s integrity if left unregulated.
In a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), MLB Executive Vice President of Legal and Operations Bryan Seeley emphasized the league’s commitment to safeguarding competition. He noted MLB’s efforts to integrate strong safeguards into state-level betting laws, partner with licensed sportsbooks for information-sharing, and collaborate with gaming regulators.
Additionally, MLB recently reinstated Joe Jackson and Pete Rose, making them eligible for Hall of Fame consideration. Jackson was among the eight players banned for the 1919 Black Sox scandal, while Rose was banned for betting on games as both a player and manager during the 1980s.
With sports betting now legal in most states, disciplinary actions for current players have become less severe, and the four reinstated players will look to revitalize their careers.