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New York Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
‘I understand': After suspension for betting, A's pitcher Michael Kelly tries to start over
ANAHEIM, Calif. — It took Michael Kelly until he was 31 years old to establish himself as a big league pitcher. There were eight years in the minor leagues — five before he advanced past A-ball. Another season in independent ball, where he had a 5.34 ERA. Then three more years in the minor leagues, punctuated by a couple of call-ups. Advertisement It was a slog, a fight. It meant everything just to make it to where he was in 2024 — a 2.59 ERA with the then-Oakland A's, spanning 31 1/3 innings. He'd finally earned a spot. Then, on June 4 of last year, he got popped for betting just $99.22 on baseball, the bets made when he was a minor leaguer. He was suspended for a year. His betting history was made public in a press release by the league. This was now what he was best known for. And his career was, once again, put on hold. 'Regardless of what it looks like, how it was, I think fans and teams and players, everyone needs to trust the integrity of the game,' Kelly said, saying that he accepted responsibility for the actions that led to his suspension. 'So, because of that, I understand why they did what they did, and they went with the suspension. 'They sent the message, and everyone needs to trust the integrity of the game. And I understand that completely.' Kelly was suspended along with three other players — Diamondbacks reliever Andrew Saalfrank, Padres pitcher Jay Groome and Phillies infielder José Rodriguez. Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was banned from the sport that same day for betting on Pirates games, while he was on their big-league roster. Saalfrank, who has spent time in the big leagues, was brought back by his organization and is currently pitching in the Arizona Complex League. Both Groome and Rodriguez were non-tendered by their respective clubs and are free agents. Kelly's bets were minuscule, all things considered. They occurred over 12 days, from October 5, 2021, to October 17, all while he was a minor leaguer in the Astros' system. He placed 10 bets involving nine big-league games. Three of the games he bet on involved the Astros. He won a net of $28.30 on his bets. 'I really didn't dwell on it much,' Kelly said, when asked how he can reconcile all this happening over such a relatively small amount of money. 'I focused on what I can control. Being where my feet were, and staying in the moment. I'm not one to look back and dwell on something.' Advertisement Kelly didn't want to discuss how receiving his suspension played out, noting that he'd rather focus on the present. He said he spent his time creating a training facility with two former big leaguers, Josh Tomlin and Steven Hill. The facility was designed to train kids and coach young players. After the initial shock, Kelly heard from many of his teammates. Family supported him, he said. He started the facility because he knew he wanted to stay involved in the game. But still, he missed being on the field. When he returned, he said, 'There was some excitement. Warm welcomes, for sure.' When asked what he wanted to prove in his career, following his suspension, Kelly responded that 'For me, it's just showing my love for the game. … Competing and being the best competitor that I can be. A professional for guys on the team, guys I'm playing against.' Kelly returned to the Athletics on June 5, the first day he was eligible. The team recently lost 20-of-21 games and was in desperate need of bullpen arms. He pitched in his first game back on the roster, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless frames against the Twins. It meant a lot to Kelly. He had to get through a lot just to step on a major league mound for the first time three years ago. He understood why he had to miss the last year, as embarrassing as it was. What he also recognizes, however, is that it was about more than 99 dollars and 22 cents. It was about betting on baseball, and the serious risk to the integrity of the sport that gambling can cause. But he can't control that, not now. So he focuses on what he can impact: getting back out there, pitching again after that self-inflicted mistake. It was so important to him. 'It was everything that I was hoping it was going to be,' Kelly said. 'Just being out there and competing and helping the team, and doing my part. It was everything I could hope for.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement 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. ___ AP MLB:
Reuters
5 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
D-backs' Andrew Saalfrank reinstated from betting ban
June 5 - The Arizona Diamondbacks reinstated pitcher Andrew Saalfrank from the ineligible list on Thursday, marking the end of his one-year suspension for betting on baseball games. The Diamondbacks optioned the 27-year-old left-hander to the Arizona Complex League. The team designated right-hander Scott McGough for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. On June 4, 2024, Major League Baseball announced a lifetime ban for San Diego Padres infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano for betting on baseball games. Saalfrank, Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and two minor leaguers received one-year bans for violating the league's sports betting rules and policies. An MLB investigation found that Saalfrank placed small-scale bets on big-league games while he was in the minors. He wagered a total of $445 over 29 bets, including four involving Diamondbacks games. Saalfrank made two relief appearances for Arizona in 2024 and allowed four runs in one inning of work. In 2023, he made 10 scoreless relief appearances in the regular season and posted a 3.18 ERA in 11 postseason appearances, including three scoreless outings against the Texas Rangers in the World Series. McGough, 35, has no decisions and a 6.43 ERA in seven relief appearances this season. He is 3-10 with a 5.86 ERA and nine saves in 102 career games (three starts) for the Miami Marlins (2015) and Diamondbacks (2023-25). --Field Level Media
New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
They were suspended for betting on baseball. Now their teams are welcoming them back
A year after Major League Baseball suspended four players for betting on baseball, the sport now finds itself in the unusual situation of bringing the group back to the field — and their teams seem ready to welcome them back. Relievers Andrew Saalfrank and Michael Kelly, starter Jay Groome and infielder Jose Rodriguez were suspended for a calendar year on June 4, 2024, for violating Rule 21, which prohibits betting on baseball. Infielder Tucupita Marcano was also banned from the sport that day for betting more than $150,000 on baseball, including bets on Pittsburgh Pirates games while on their roster. Advertisement While the suspended quartet did gamble on MLB games — all as minor leaguers — none of their bets involved teams they were playing on. Now those players are welcome to resume their careers, and their teams appear to be ready to take them back. The Arizona Diamondbacks will bring back Saalfrank. The A's also plan to bring back Kelly. The San Diego Padres are still evaluating Groome's status with the organization, while the Philadelphia Phillies have welcomed Rodriguez back to their facility. That's all according to sources with the individual teams, who were granted anonymity to speak freely due to the sensitive nature of the issue. The suspensions were a shock for the sport. While baseball has a long and difficult history with gambling — from the Chicago Black Sox to Pete Rose's lifetime ban that last month was posthumously lifted, to interpreter Ippei Mizuhara recently funding his own bets with Shohei Ohtani's money — this was the first instance of players being caught using legal online betting companies. Earlier this spring, major league umpire Pat Hoberg was fired for sharing a sports betting account with a friend who bet on baseball. According to MLB's statement at the time, the league was informed of the betting activity by its sports book partners, and subsequently conducted an investigation. The league declined to answer if it has updated any protocols in the wake of these suspensions, and instead reiterated commissioner Rob Manfred's statement from the initial announcement. 'MLB will continue to invest heavily in integrity monitoring, educational programming and awareness initiatives with the goal of ensuring strict adherence to this fundamental rule of our game,' Manfred said as part of that statement. A spokesperson for the players' union declined comment for this story. Advertisement Even though all the suspended players are eligible to return, the teams are not actually required to bring them back. MLB and the Players Association agreed to a special carve-out, according to a league source, that allowed the players back into their teams' facilities 30 days before the expiration of their suspension. After June 5, the teams then have 10 days to decide whether to offer a contract to the players or non-tender them. The teams also have 30 days after June 5 to place the players on a roster, including a minor league affiliate. However, teams could use the development list to extend the ramp-up period. Both Saalfrank, 27, and Kelly, 32, were important pieces for their respective teams before their suspensions. Saalfrank was in Triple A, but made 11 postseason appearances during Arizona's World Series run in 2023. And Kelly had a 2.59 ERA in 28 appearances for Oakland ahead of his suspension. Groome, 26, was in Triple-A at the time of his suspension, and has yet to make his big league debut despite being the No. 12 pick in the 2016 draft. Rodriguez, 24, has played in just one big league game — with the Chicago White Sox in 2023. He played four games in the Dominican Winter League during his suspension. The bets in question weren't for significant sums. Saalfrank's bets totaled $445.87, which included 28 bets on baseball from Sept. 9, 2021, to March 9, 2022. At the time, he was a minor leaguer in the Diamondbacks' system. A team source said that Saalfrank has been apologetic and contrite, recognizing the mistake he made. It's expected that he — and all the players involved — will have to address the situation publicly when they start playing in games. Kelly bet a total of $99.22 over a 12-day span in October of 2021. At the time, Kelly was a Triple-A player in the Houston Astros' system, and three of his nine bets involved his team, which was competing in the postseason. He was the only player to end up with a profit, making a net of $28.30. Advertisement Groome bet $453.74 on baseball over three days in July 2021, while Rodriguez wagered $749.09 from September 2021 through June 2022. Representatives for Saalfrank and Kelly did not respond to multiple interview requests, and a representative for Groome declined comment. Neither of the players could be reached for comment. Leagues across the sports world have had to deal with the rise and ease of legalized sports betting, even while profiting financially from their partnerships. The Athletic has a business partnership with online sportsbook BetMGM. In the NBA, former Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned for life for manipulating his playing time. Several NFL players have been suspended for gambling, most notably then-Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley in 2022. College basketball has also dealt with serious issues over bets influencing the outcomes of games and individual player performances, leading to a federal investigation. An MLB spokesperson declined to say, when asked, if they believed these suspensions and the Marcano ban will be an effective deterrent in avoiding future issues. '(The enforcement of) rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans,' Manfred wrote at the time of the suspensions. 'The longstanding prohibition against betting on Major League Baseball games by those in the sport has been a bedrock principle for over a century.' — The Athletic's Dennis Lin and Matt Gelb contributed reporting to this story. (Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; top photos: Michael Reaves, Brandon Sloter / Image Of Sport, Sean M. Haffey, Chris Bernacchi / Diamond Images / Getty Images)
