Miami Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart has been fined for betting, but not on baseball. Major League Baseball considers the case closed and he won’t be suspended.
The investigation began last month when conversations between Cosart and gambling experts leaked on Twitter. There were questions about the legitimacy of the messages, since, as the Miami New Times noted, the messages were posted by a Twitter user named @GhostFaceKillah. But it turned out that the messages were legit.
The league said that Cosart met with officials. He said that he did not bet on baseball and the investigation found no evidence to contradict that.
“Major League Baseball has completed its investigation into Jarred Cosart's possible connection to sports-related gambling,” MLB said in a statement. “The investigation did not reveal any evidence to suggest that Cosart, who fully cooperated with the investigation, bet on baseball.”
Cosart received a fine for placing illegal bets. The league did not say how big the fine was.
Cosart said he fully cooperated in the investigation and apologized for causing a distraction for his teammates, coaches and fans. “I'm glad to bring closure to this situation before Opening Day and I look forward to a great season,” Cosart said in a statement released by the Players Association.
The Marlins start the season today against the Braves in Miami, but since Cosart is dealing with a blister on his right hand, he won’t make his first start until April 11 against the Rays.