MLB: No evidence Jarred Cosart bet on baseball

A league investigation did not find evidence that Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart bet on baseball, but fined him for betting on other sports with bookmakers.

“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 issued by the Major League Baseball Players’ Association.

Major League Baseball launched an investigation into gambling allegations involving Cosart after tweets surfaced from his Twitter account indicating that he might have placed sports-related bets.

“The investigation did not reveal any evidence to suggest that Cosart, who fully cooperated with the investigation, bet on baseball,” according to a statement released by the league.

Had the league’s investigation found that Cosart bet on baseball, he could have faced a lifetime ban from the sport.

“I have never, nor would I ever, bet on the great game of baseball,” Cosart said in the statement. “Major League Baseball conducted a thorough investigation and I cooperated fully with them and their investigators throughout that process.”

The league did, however, fine Cosart an undisclosed amount for betting on other sports with illegal bookmakers, a violation of Rule 21(d)(3).

The Marlins acquired Cosart in a trade with the Houston Astros last July. He was scheduled to start the fifth game of the season for the Marlins.

“I’m sorry for any distractions this may have caused the Marlins, my teammates, coaches, and our incredible fans,” Cosart said.

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The Marlins, as expected, reassigned outfielder Jordany Valdespin and catcher Jhonatan Solano to minor league camp on Friday. Both players were informed earlier in the week they would not make the Opening Day roster.

The roster now stands at 27 players. Two, pitchers Jose Fernandez and Aaron Crow, will be placed on the disabled list.