Marlins pitcher fined for illegal sports betting

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jarred Cosart (23) pitches during the first inning Washington Nationals in game one of a baseball doubleheader at Nationals Park. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)

A Major League Baseball investigation determined that there was no evidence linking Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jarred Cosart to gambling on baseball and he will not be suspended.

The 24-year-old Cosart will be fined an undisclosed amount for illegal betting on other sports, MLB said in a statement Friday.

“Major League Baseball has completed its investigation into Jarred Cosart’s possible connection to sports-related gambling,” the statement read. “The investigation did not reveal any evidence to suggest that Cosart, who fully cooperated with the investigation, bet on baseball.

“Cosart has received an undisclosed fine for violations of Major League Rule 21(d)(3) that were revealed during the investigation. Major League Rule 21(d)(3) prohibits players from placing bets with illegal book makers, or agents for illegal book makers. This rule is strictly enforced and applies to gambling with illegal bookmakers on any sport or event.”

Cosart said earlier this week that he had never bet on baseball. MLB launched an investigation after a report surfaced linking direct Twitter messages between Cosart and a person affiliated with the gambling industry.

Cosart, who was acquired in a seven-player trade with the Houston Astros in July 2014, could have been suspended indefinitly if he was found to have bet on games in which he was involved. He could have faced a one-year ban for betting on baseball games in which he was not involved.

Cosart made his final start of the spring on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals and worked six scoreless innings, allowing one hit and three walks and striking out four. He had a 5.60 ERA in exhibition games.