MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg Disciplined for Violating Gambling Rules, Will Appeal Decision

Umpire Pat Hoberg has been disciplined by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s gambling rules, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich.

Rosenthal and Drellich report that Hoberg is appealing the decision.

According to a statement from MLB, the league began investigating Hoberg “regarding a potential violation of MLB’s sports betting policies.” Hoberg was relieved of umpiring duties during the impending investigation and while MLB did not find evidence that Hoberg “compromised or manipulated” games, the league did determine that discipline was warranted.

MLB said in the statement that it cannot comment further until the conclusion of the appeal process.

Per Rosenthal and Drellich, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will hear Hoberg’s appeal.

Hoberg became a full-time MLB umpire in 2017, though he made his debut in 2014. He has not appeared on the field during the 2024 season after working last year.

Hoberg was selected to umpire during the 2022 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, where he was given a perfect score for his performance in Game 2, according to umpscorecards.com.

Rosenthal and Drellich noted that umpires are covered under MLB’s Rule 21, the same statute that regulates players. That rule states that anyone who is found to have gambled on a game will be banned permanently from baseball.

MLB recently banned San Diego Padres utility player Tucupita Marcano for life after he was found to have placed 25 bets on the Pittsburgh Pirates while a member of the team last season.

The league also suspended current Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Michael Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Andrew Saalfrank, Philadelphia Phillies infielder José Rodríguez and Padres pitcher Jay Groome for one season for placing bets on games they were not involved in.