NEW YORK — Major League Baseball plans to discipline umpire Pat Hoberg after an investigation into a potential violation of sports gambling policies.
In a statement released Friday, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred’s office said Hoberg has decided to appeal the penalty. MLB did not disclose the nature of the violation or the extent of the punishment.
“While MLB’s investigation did not find any evidence that games worked by Mr. Hoberg were compromised or manipulated in any way, MLB determined that discipline was warranted. Mr. Hoberg has chosen to appeal that determination. Therefore, we cannot comment further until the appeal process is concluded,” the statement read.
MLB said it began investigating Hoberg during spring training this year and he was removed from the field while the probe was ongoing.
“I am appealing Major League Baseball’s determination that I should be disciplined for violating the sports betting policies,” Hoberg said in a statement issued by the union. “While that appeal is pending, it would not be appropriate to discuss the case. That said, I have devoted my adult life to the profession of umpiring, and the integrity of baseball is of the utmost importance to me. I look forward to the appeal process, and I am grateful that the Major League Baseball Umpires Association is supporting me in the appeal.”