Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced that it has opened an investigation into San Diego Padres infielder and Venezuela baseball star Tucupita Marcano. He is facing a lifetime ban over allegedly betting on baseball games last season.

Sources within the league have confirmed to ESPN that the MLB has received information that he bet on games that involved the Pittsburg Pirates when he was still with the team last season. So far, he has not been penalized yet but a lifetime ban is on the table for the Venezuelan.

The MLB Rule 21 states that a player who bets on games involving his own team is subject to a lifetime ban. He was betting on the games involving the Pirates while he was still injured due to a torn ACL last year. However, the act still breaks league rules on betting, which throws the integrity of some games into question.

Marcano was reportedly caught when he was flagged by a sportsbook when he allegedly placed the bets. The sportsbook then reported this to the MLB.

The investigation into Tucupita Marcano comes in the wake of the NBA handing down a lifetime penalty to Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter, who was also in the middle of a massive betting scandal. He reportedly disclosed confidential information to bettors.

Porter allegedly limited his participation in at least one game and was betting on NBA games while he was still playing in the G League. This is the latest in a series of sports betting scandals that have plagued US sports, with various leagues already clamping down harshly.

San Diego Padres Releases Statement Into Venezuela Star Tucupita Marcano

Current players who bet on MLB games get a one-year ban, while those who bet on games involving their own team reportedly receive lifetime bans as the MLB has a history of players throwing games because of bets.

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"We are aware of an active investigation by Major League Baseball regarding a matter that occurred when the player in question was a member of another organization and not affiliated with the San Diego Padres," the San Diego Padres said in a statement regarding its infielder. "We will not have any further comment until the investigative process has been completed."

MLB and Its Controversial History With Sports Betting

The MLB has had a very controversial relationship on players betting that dates back to the 1919 World Series, which is regarded as the most shameful moment in baseball history as the Chicago White Sox infamously threw the match.

According to the Associated Press, baseball legend Pete Rose also received a lifetime ban in 1989 when it was found out that he was betting on Cincinnati Reds games while he was still managing the team.

The MLB is still facing a scandal involving Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was soon fired by the LA Dodgers after a federal gambling investigation became public. He soon pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax fraud after prosecutors alleged he stole nearly $17 million from the Japanese superstar to pay off debts.\

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Tucupita Marcano's first MLB hit - San Diego Padres