Major League Baseball’s one-year suspensions for betting on the sport ended for four players — San Diego pitcher Jay Groome, Athletics reliever Michael Kelly, Philadelphia infielder José Rodríguez, and Arizona reliever Andrew Saalfrank.
The Padres have not announced their plans for Groome, who was a first-round pick by the Red Sox in 2016, but the Athletic reported he was not offered a contract, making him a free agent.
According to MLB, Groome made 32 bets from July 22, 2020 to July 24, 2021 — 24 on the Red Sox. Groome spent $453.74 on 30 MLB game-related bets and had a net loss of $433.54. He only received payouts on two of his MLB bets.
Groome, 26, reached Triple A in 2022 and started three games before the Red Sox traded him to the Padres. The Sox received first baseman Eric Hosmer and two prospects.
The A’s announced they reinstated Kelly along with lefthander T.J. McFarland, who was on the injured list.
Saalfrank was optioned to the Diamondbacks’ rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
The Phillies have not announced their intentions regarding Rodríguez.
Kelly was suspended for betting on baseball while in the minor leagues, and Saalfrank and Rodríguez 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.
Staff reports included in this story.
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