Arizona Diamondbacks’ Saalfrank Suspended 1 12 months For Baseball Betting

Arizona left-hander Andrew Saalfrank had a outstanding begin to his main league profession final season, a invaluable bullpen piece within the Diamondbacks run to the 2023 World Collection.

He is not going to be out there for a repeat run — he was suspended Monday for one yr for violating main league baseball’s sports activities betting guidelines.

Saalfrank was discovered to have wager on baseball within the 2021-22 seasons, when he was within the Diamondbacks’ minor league system. He didn’t place bets on his minor league groups or the Diamondbacks, MLB mentioned, and didn’t play in any video games on which he wager.

“There isn’t a proof to recommend — and Saalfrank denies — that any outcomes within the baseball video games on which he positioned bets had been compromised, influenced or manipulated in any approach,” main league baseball mentioned in a ready assertion.

Saalfrank, 26, missed the 2021 season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure and performed at two ranges of the Diamondbacks’ minor league system in 2022.

“Andrew made a foul choice,” Arizona supervisor Torey Lovullo instructed reporters. “The foundations are very clearly outlined, they’re instructed to the gamers a number of instances throughout spring coaching.

“Now we have to guard the integrity of this recreation. Andrew knew that. He understood that. He made a very unhealthy choice. What I do know is in regards to the human being. I do know Andrew is remorseful. He made a mistake. He feels horrible, however he’s going to pay the right penalties.

“That’s painful for him, and painful for us. So all we are able to do is proceed to encourage him to do the proper factor, study from this, and we’ll see him once more.”

Saalfrank didn’t make the Diamondbacks out of spring coaching however was promoted from Triple-A Reno in late April and made two appearances earlier than being returned to Reno t0 work on command points.

He was one among 5 gamers suspended Monday for violating Rule 21, which reads, “Any participant, umpire, or membership or league official or worker, who shall wager any sum in any respect upon any baseball recreation in reference to which the bettor has no responsibility to carry out, shall be declared ineligible for one yr.”

San Diego infielder Tucupita Marcano obtained a lifetime ban and minor leaguers Oakland pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres pitcher Jay Groome and Philadelphia infielder Jose Rodriguez additionally had been suspended for a yr.

Marcano obtained the strictest punishment as a result of he wager on Pittsburgh Pirates’ video games whereas he was a member of the Pirates in 2023. He was discovered to have wager greater than $150,000 on baseball.

Saalfrank wagered a complete of $445.87 on baseball, in line with the MLB report, all however $1.80 of that on main league-related occasions. The report mentioned Saalfrank received 5 of his 28 baseball-related bets and had a web lack of $272.64. The league mentioned it was instructed in regards to the betting exercise by a authorized betting operator.

Saalfrank can be eligible for reinstatement on June 5, 2025.

A sixth-round draft selection from Indiana College in 2019, Saalfrank was promoted to the key leagues on Sept. 4, 2023, after success at two minor league ranges.

Saalfrank made his debut the next day towards Colorado and developed into one of many Diamondbacks’ most dependable setup males down the stretch and into the playoffs.

He didn’t permit an earned run in any of his 1o regular-season appearances and was scored upon solely as soon as, when he was charged with two unearned runs in a 7-6, 13-inning victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 16. He had three “holds” and labored his approach right into a main left-handed setup position.

Saalfrank continued his run within the postseason with three scoreless outings towards Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Dodgers within the first two rounds of the playoffs. He gave up a run in Video games 3-4 of the NLCS towards Philadelphia and had three scoreless appearances towards Texas within the World Collection.

The Diamondbacks’ bullpen solidified when nearer Paul Sewald was acquired from Seattle on the 2023 commerce deadline, whereas Kevin Ginkel and Saalfrank settled into late-inning roles.

“It’s disappointing for baseball to have individuals betting on baseball,” Sewald mentioned in a radio interview. “We’re all conscious of the foundations.

“That’s not who ‘Saalfy’ is. That form of shocked me once I discovered. It’s disappointing and we’re pissed off that we’re not going to get to have him this yr. Hopefully (he) comes again stronger than ever.”