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Former West Boca Raton High pitcher, four others suspended from MLB after gambling scandal

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4 weeks ago

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$99.22 in bets to win $28.30 has cost so much more for former West Boca Raton High pitcher Michael Kelly.

The Oakland Athletics reliever has been suspended by the MLB for a year after violating the league’s gambling policy when gambling on nine MLB games in 2021 while competing in Triple-A for the Houston Astros.

In addition to his right to play, Kelly, age 31, will also forfeit his $740k salary.

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Here are three things to know:

Four other MLB players suspended with Kelly in gambling scandal

The MLB’s Department of Investigations found more than Kelly guilty of illegal betting. After being tipped off by a legal sports bettering operator back in March, the MLB used data from the company to confirm the major and minor leaguers who were identified in the months that followed.

Kelly, San Diego Padres pitcher Jay Groome, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jose Rodriguez and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank all received one-year bans, while Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban.

What did Kelly bet on?

So why does Marcano get life while Kelly takes a yearlong penalty? Although his 10 bets included wagers on the outcomes and over/under bets on runs scored and how many strikeouts and individual pitcher would throw, Kelly didn’t make any bets involving his assigned team.

Meanwhile, Marcano, age 24, bet on Pittsburgh Pirates games while he was on the roster, despite his injured status.

How was Kelly doing this season?

A Tuesday morning statement from Oakland shared that the club was “disappointed” to learn the news:

“While we cannot comment on the details, this violation occurred prior to Michael joining the A’s organization and we fully support MLB’s sports betting policy and the need to adhere to all provisions of Rule 21.”

Kelly came from the Cleveland Guardians last November. In 28 appearances and 31 1/3 innings for the A’s, the 6-foot-5 righty registered a 2.59 ERA, marking the best stretch of his career in the pros.

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

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