MLB Imposes a Rare Lifetime Ban on Infielder

San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano has become the Pete Rose of his day, and not in a good way. Major League Baseball on Tuesday imposed a lifetime ban on the 24-year-old over gambling, reports the AP. Coverage:

• The bets: The league found that Marcano placed bets last season not just on baseball games but on games involving his own team, which at the time was the Pittsburgh Pirates. Marcano was on the injured list at the time and not playing, reports the Wall Street Journal. A sportsbook alerted the league to the bets, per ESPN.
• Four more: Another major leaguer, pitcher Michael Kelly of the Oakland Athletics, received a one-year suspension on Tuesday for bets made when he was in the minors. Three other minor leaguers also got one-year suspensions.

• The rules: MLB rules are straightforward and, as the Journal notes, posted prominently in team clubhouses. Baseball players can bet legally on other sports, but they cannot bet on baseball. If they bet on other teams, they face a one-year suspension. If they bet on their own team, they face a lifetime ban, per the Athletic.
• History: Rose, the MLB's career hits leader, received a lifetime ban in 1989, after his playing days were over. The last active player to receive a lifetime ban for gambling appears to be Giants outfielder Jimmy O'Connell in 1924, per the AP.
• Context: This isn't the only gambling controversy the league is weathering, and the NBA is in the same boat. Sports gambling has surged since a Supreme Court ruling in 2018 struck down state bans.
• Marcano: The Venezuelan player hasn't commented. Marcano played his last game in July when he tore his right ACL while with the Pirates. He was picked up by the Padres off waivers.

This story was updated with the MLB decision to impose a lifetime ban. (More Major League Baseball stories.)