Four MLB players are eligible to return to action after each served a one-year suspension for violating the league’s gambling rules. They each placed wagers totaling less than $1,000 on games, which led to the automatic penalty.
They avoided lifetime bans from the sport as they didn’t bet on games in which they were playing and they weren’t in attendance at any of the games in question.
Relief pitcher Michael Kelly is back with the Oakland Athletics, while the Arizona Diamondbacks optioned Andrew Saalfrank to rookie-level ball. Jay Groome and José Rodríguez were not extended contracts by the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively, and are now free agents.
allowing no hits in 1 1/3 shutout innings
Kelly was the only one to see MLB action immediately upon his return to baseball, appearing in the Athletics’ 14-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, allowing no hits in 1 1/3 shutout innings.
Athletics Manager Mark Kotsay welcomed Kelly back into the fold, saying his strong performance on his return “couldn’t have been a better part of the day.”
