On Wednesday, the baseball world marked a year since a major turning point regarding gambling suspensions in Major League Baseball. The most affected player in this saga was former San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano, who was permanently banned from the sport by Commissioner Rob Manfred on June 4, 2024, following the discovery that he, along with four minor leaguers, had placed bets on baseball games.
One of those minor leaguers, pitcher Jay Groome, had been handed a one-year suspension but was poised for reinstatement this past week. However, in a somewhat surprising move, the Padres announced they would non-tender Groome, effectively taking him off their 40-man roster—a decision that signifies the end of his time with the organization, at least for now.
It was Dennis Lin of The Athletic who first reported Groome’s non-tender status, noting that with the suspension concluding, the Padres had decided to move on. This decision wasn’t entirely unexpected, yet it raised eyebrows given that another suspended player, Michael Kelly, was reinstated and returned to the Oakland Athletics on the same day.
In addition to Kelly’s reinstatement, another player impacted by the gambling infractions, Andrew Saalfrank, saw the Arizona Diamondbacks welcome him back while letting go of veteran reliever Scott McGough to create room on their roster. This flurry of roster moves showcased the varied responses teams had to the suspensions, highlighting how each organization is navigating this complex situation.
The Philadelphia Phillies also made waves on this front. After reinstating minor league infielder Jose Rodriguez from the ineligible list, they opted to non-tender him, a strategy that appears linked to roster management as they reposition for the weekend’s games.
Groome’s career has been tumultuous in the minors. Drafted 12th overall by the Boston Red Sox, he found himself in a restrictive spotlight after being found to have placed 32 bets on Major League Baseball games between 2020 and 2021, predominantly targeting games involving his former team, the Red Sox. Notably, his betting activity didn’t involve wagers on any games in which he played, although the sheer number—24 bets on the Red Sox alone—raised significant eyebrows. He reportedly lost $433.54 in the process, a small price compared to the larger implications of his actions.
As Groome enters free agency—having immediately become available after the non-tender—he does so with a mixed bag of stats from his minor league career, posting a 19-34 record and a 5.54 ERA over 103 games. The Padres originally brought Groome into the fold in a deal that sent first baseman Eric Hosmer to Boston in August 2022, but now they’ve chosen to part ways with the once-promising talent.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Groome’s release serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges that MLB faces when it comes to gambling and player behavior. It’s clear that the landscape of baseball is shifting, and how teams respond to these incidents will play a crucial role in shaping their futures as they seek not only talent but also character in their players. As we look ahead, the eyes of fans will inevitably be on the next steps for Groome and how organizations continue to adapt to the changing dynamics in the league.
