MLB reinstates 4 players after yearlong bans for betting on baseball
FILE - Chicago White Sox second baseman Jose Rodriguez throws out Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim at first base during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
FILE - San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jay Groome throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
FILE - Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Andrew Saalfrank throws against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, FIle)
FILE - Oakland Athletics' Michael Kelly throws during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
FILE - This combination of 2024 file photo shows baseball players, from left, Jay Groome, Michael Kelly, Jose Rodríguez and Andrew Saalfrank. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - This combination of 2024 file photo shows baseball players, from left, Jay Groome, Michael Kelly, Jose Rodríguez and Andrew Saalfrank. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Chicago White Sox second baseman Jose Rodriguez throws out Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim at first base during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
FILE - San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jay Groome throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
FILE - Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Andrew Saalfrank throws against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, FIle)
FILE - Oakland Athletics' Michael Kelly throws during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
FILE - This combination of 2024 file photo shows baseball players, from left, Jay Groome, Michael Kelly, Jose Rodríguez and Andrew Saalfrank. (AP Photo/File)
Major League Baseball's one-year suspensions for betting on the sport ended for four players Thursday — San Diego starter Jay Groome, Athletics relief pitcher Michael Kelly, Philadelphia infielder José Rodríguez and Arizona reliever Andrew Saalfrank.
The A's announced they reinstated Kelly along with left-hander T.J. McFarland, who was on the injured list. They optioned right-handers Elvis Alvarado and Justin Sterner to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on their big league roster.
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Saalfrank was optioned to the Diamondbacks' rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
The Padres have not announced their plans for Groome, but the Athletic reported he was not offered a contract, making him a free agent.
The Phillies have not announced their intentions regarding Rodríguez.
Kelly was suspended for betting on baseball while in the minor leagues, and the other three minor leaguers were penalized for betting on big league games. Each player wagered less than $1,000. Saalfrank and Rodríguez played previously in the majors.
The players violated Major League Rule 21, which is posted in every clubhouse. They were handed mandatory one-year suspensions for betting on games in which they did not participate. If they had bet on any games they attended in person — even if they didn't play — they would have been banned for life.
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