Who is Jose Rodriguez? Philadelphia Phillies infielder suspended for violating MLB gambling policy

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jose Rodriguez was one of five major and minor league baseball players on Tuesday who were either suspended or permanently banned for violating MLB’s gambling policies.

MLB suspended Rodriguez, a minor league second baseman, for one season. Rodriguez was one of four players suspended for violating Rule 21. San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban.

Padres pitchers are also suspended Jay Groome of Barnegat Township, New Jerseypitcher Michael Kelly of the Oakland Athletics and pitcher Andrew Saalfrank of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Who is Jose Rodriguez?

The Phillies acquired Rodriguez in a small trade from the Chicago White Sox for a cash consideration on April 5, 2024. He took the 40-man roster spot that became vacant after Philadelphia gives way to Jake Cave to the Colorado Rockies.

Philadelphia sent the 23-year-old center fielder to Double-A Reading. In 38 games with the Fightin Phils, Rodriguez hit .265/.319/.444 with four home runs, 18 RBIs and 13 walks.

Rodriguez has played one major league game in his career. He appeared in the eighth inning of the White Sox’s 7-6 win over the Texas Rangers on June 20, 2023. Rodriguez pinch-ran for Chicago catcher Yasmani Grandal and later scored a touchdown. He stayed in the game and played second base.

The Phillies placed Rodriguez on the restricted list and removed him from the 40-man roster.

What did Jose Rodriguez bet on?

According to MLB data, Rodriguez bet on baseball 31 times on September 30, 2021, and from June 5 to July 30, 2022, when he was on a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.

The league said Rodriguez bet on 28 MLB games and three times on college baseball.

Rodriguez, among others, made seven bets on the White Sox while playing for the Birmingham Barons, Chicago’s Double-A affiliate. Two of the bets were on the outcome, the other five on runs scored, the league’s statement said.

According to MLB, Rodriguez has wagered a total of $749.09 on baseball, including $724.09 on MLB games (including parlay bets).

The league said Rodriguez did not participate in any of the games he bet on, nor did he bet on his teams.

“There is no evidence – and Rodriguez denies it – that the results of the baseball games on which he wagered were manipulated, influenced or tampered with in any way,” the MLB statement said.

Rule 21 deals with misconduct and covers the sport’s gambling and betting policies.

According to the league’s website, the wording of Rule 21(d), which governs betting, is:

(1) Any player, umpire, official or employee of a club or league who wagers any amount on a baseball game in which he has no obligation to play shall be disqualified from participation for one year.

(2) Any player, umpire or official or employee of a club or league who wagers any amount on a baseball game in which the bettor has an obligation to perform shall be permanently disqualified.

(3) Any player, referee or club or league official or employee who places bets with illegal bookmakers or agents for illegal bookmakers shall be liable to such penalty as the Commissioner considers appropriate having regard to the facts and circumstances of the conduct. Any player, referee or club or league official or employee who carries on or works for an illegal bookmaking business shall be liable to suspension by the Commissioner for not less than one year. For the purposes of this regulation, an illegal bookmaker is a person who accepts, places or processes bets on sporting events from members of the public as part of a gambling operation which is illegal in the jurisdiction in which the bets are accepted.