Athletics RHP Michael Kelly reinstated after 1-year betting ban

Field Level Media|published: Thu 5th June, 18:22 2025

MLB: Oakland Athletics at Tampa Bay Rays

May 28, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly (47) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Athletics reinstated right-hander Michael Kelly from the suspended list on Thursday after he completed a one-year ban for betting on baseball games.

On June 4, 2024, Major League Baseball announced a lifetime ban for San Diego Padres infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano for betting on baseball games. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank, Kelly and two minor leaguers received one-year bans for violating the league's sports betting rules and policies.

Kelly was a minor leaguer in the Houston Astros organization when, according to an MLB investigation, he made 10 bets in October 2021 for less than $100. He won five of the bets and collected a net win of about $28. Kelly didn't bet on games involving his team, per the investigation.

Kelly, 32, is 4-2 with a 2.94 ERA, 20 walks and 42 strikeouts across 52 innings in 46 relief appearances over parts of the past three seasons.

He was 3-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 31 1/3 innings over 28 relief appearances last season when he received his suspension.

In other moves on Thursday, the Athletics activated veteran left-hander T.J. McFarland from the 15-day injured list after he dealt with a left groin injury, optioned rookie right-handers Elvis Alvarado and Justin Sterner to Triple-A Las Vegas, and designated infielder/outfielder CJ Alexander for assignment.

McFarland, who turns 36 on Sunday, last pitched on May 11. He is 0-0 this season with a 5.23 ERA, three walks and four strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings over 18 relief appearances.

For his career, McFarland is 26-20 with a 4.13 ERA, one save, 174 walks and 322 strikeouts in 541 innings over 451 regular-season games (three starts) for the Baltimore Orioles (2013-16), Arizona Diamondbacks (2017-19), St. Louis Cardinals (2021-22), New York Mets (2023) and Athletics (2020, 2024-present).

McFarland led the major leagues with 79 appearances last season.

Sterner, 28, was 1-3 with a 4.28 ERA, 14 walks and 30 strikeouts in 29 games (one start) this season.

Alvarado, 26, was 0-0 with a 7.50 ERA, three walks and eight strikeouts in six innings over four relief appearances in his rookie season.

Alexander, 28, batted .176 (3-for-17) in six games this season.

--Field Level Media