MLB Notebook: Injured Padres player faces lifetime ban for betting on baseball; Tommy Pham prepared to ‘f-ck somebody up’; Orioles prospect promoted from Triple-A
Major League Baseball is investigating San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for allegedly violating the sport’s gambling policy, and he faces the possibility of a lifetime ban, according to Lindsey Adler of the Wall Street Journal.
Marcano and four other unnamed players are under investigation for allegedly betting on baseball while in the minor leagues. The 24-year-old is currently on the injured list after undergoing surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Marcano is also on the Padres 40-man roster but has been out of action since last July.
The Padres released a statement regarding the alleged allegations regarding Marcano:
“We are aware of an active investigation by Major League Baseball 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 not have any further comment until the investigative process has been completed.”
MLB players are allowed to bet legally on sports other than baseball, and that policy is posted in every clubhouse. A player betting on a baseball game involving teams other than his own results in a one-year suspension. Betting on a game involving your own team comes with a lifetime ban.
Marcano last played on July 24, 2023, for the Pirates and was injured in the game while running the bases. This is his second stint with the Padres, who claimed him off waivers in November.
White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham was prepared to 'f-ck somebody up' after incident at the plate in Sunday's game
Former Red Sox outfielder Tommy Pham had strong words for Brewers catcher William Contreras following the game on Sunday that stemmed from a play at the plate during the game.
With the Brewers clutching a one-run lead in the eighth inning against the White Sox, Pham tried to tie the game on a sacrifice fly but was blocked by Contreras, who tagged out the outfielder.
The play ended the inning, and as Contreras was running to his dugout, he reportedly had something to say to Pham, who was visibly heated up and needed to be held back by his coaches following the inning-ending play.
Following the game, reporters asked Pham about the incident.
“It was a shallow fly ball to left field. You would expect the left fielder to throw the baserunner out on that play,” Pham told reporters postgame. “The third-base coach (Eddie Rodriguez) sends you, you’ve got to go. I’m nailed out at home by a mile. I’m going to the dugout. I hear the tough guy with all the hoorah (expletive). I never start anything, but I’ll be prepared to finish it.
“There’s a reason why I do all kinds of fighting in the offseason,” he continued. Because I’m prepared to (expletive) somebody up. So, take it as what it is.”
This is not the first time Pham has been involved in some sort of issue on the field. In 2022, while with the Reds, Pham slapped outfielder Joc Peterson over a fantasy football dispute. Pham claimed that Peterson was “messing with my money” and was suspended three games by the league.
During the same season, Pham challenged Luke Voit to a fight after a “dirty as (expletive)” slide that left Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson with a concussion.
The Brewers went on to defeat the White Sox 6-3, and in the process, the White Sox dropped to 15-45 and haven’t won a game since May 21.
Orioles promote infield prospect Connor Norby from Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles are promoting infield/outfield prospect Connor Norby on Monday following the injury to infielder Jorge Mateo.
The news of Norby’s promotion was reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Norby, 23, is the latest top Orioles prospect heading to the majors. While with Triple-A Norfolk, he hit .286/.374/.510 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs.
The East Carolina alum will occupy a 26-man roster spot due to Mateo being placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Monday.
Norby has been playing all over the field for the Tides in an effort to become a well-rounded player and carve an easier path to the big leagues.
“I have been playing a lot of outfield, and that gives me another opportunity to get in the lineup and stay in the lineup,” Norby said to Beyond the Monster from Polar Park in late May. “I know I can play second base, but this is helpful to expand my role a bit and be able to play corner outfield when I need to. I am still a second baseman at heart, but if you are trying to fight for a spot, playing multiple positions will only help you out.”
In addition to Norby, the Orioles have called up No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday, outfielder Heston Kjerstad, and Kyle Stowers. Both Holliday and Kjerstad are back in the minors, working their way back to Baltimore.
