Padre farmhand suspended for betting on baseball reinstated

Padres banner File photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego One-year suspensions for betting on baseball ended for four players Thursday including Padre starter Jay Groome The Padres have not publicized their plans for Groome who last played for El Paso the Friars AAA club The Athletic though communicated he was not offered a contract making him a free agent Athletics relief pitcher Michael Kelly Phillies infielder Jos Rodr guez and Diamondback reliever Andrew Saalfrank were the other three players suspended by Major League Baseball Kelly was suspended for betting on baseball while in the minor leagues and the other three minor leaguers were penalized for betting on big league games Each participant wagered less than Saalfrank and Rodr guez played previously in the majors The A s informed they reinstated Kelly along with left-hander T J McFarland who was on the injured list Saalfrank was optioned to the Diamondbacks rookie-level Arizona Complex League The Phillies have not declared Rodr guez s status The players violated Major League Rule which is posted in every clubhouse They were handed mandatory one-year suspensions for betting on games in which they did not participate If they had bet on any games they attended in person even if they didn t play they would have been banned for life