Major League Baseball umpire Pat Hoberg is facing punishment for violations of the league’s gambling policy, according to media reports.

Hoberg, 37, is the first umpire to violate MLB’s sports betting policy since the Supreme Court’s historic PASPA ruling in 2018. Hoberg is appealing the ruling, according to The Athletic, which first reported the story.

“During this year’s Spring Training, Major League Baseball commenced an investigation regarding a potential violation of MLB’s sports betting policies by Umpire Pat Hoberg,” MLB said in a statement. “Mr. Hoberg was removed from the field during the pendency of that investigation. 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.”

Hoberg became a full-time MLB umpire in 2017, but has not worked an MLB game during the 2024 season. He also served as a member of the umpiring crew in the 2022 World Series when the Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hoberg received a perfect rating for the game he worked behind the plate, according to the website UmpScorecards.com.

More stats for this game https://t.co/Ic52HanqPA pic.twitter.com/ZfTCNpLU5y

— Umpire Scorecards (@UmpScorecards) October 30, 2022

The Hoberg report is the latest sports betting incident to hit the league this season. Earlier this month, MLB suspended two active players and three minor leaguers for sports gambling violations. Pirates infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban after allegedly wagering on his own team. Marcano apparently made the wagers while he was away from the team on the Injured List. MLB determined in an investigation that Marcano did not use any inside information while placing the wagers.

At the start of the season, the Dodgers fired Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of MLB star Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with charges that he stole approximately $17 million from Ohtani to repay gambling debts. Mizuhara placed hundreds of wagers with an illegal California sports betting ring.

According to MLB Rule 21, individuals determined to have gambled on any game where “the bettor has a duty to perform” will be subject to a lifetime ban. Umpires are subject to the rule, as are players. Violators accused of betting on other MLB games can face a suspension of one year.