Major League Baseball plans to discipline umpire Pat Hoberg following an investigation into a possible violation of its sports gambling policy.

In a statement Friday, the commissioner’s office said Hoberg has decided to appeal the sentence. MLB has not disclosed the nature of the violation or the extent of the penalty.

“Although MLB’s investigation found no evidence that games created by Mr. Hoberg had been compromised or manipulated in any way, MLB determined that discipline was warranted. Mr. Hoberg has chosen to appeal this decision. Therefore, we cannot comment further until the appeal process has been completed,” the statement said.

MLB said it began investigating Hoberg during spring training this year and that he was removed from the field while the investigation was ongoing.

The 37-year-old Hoberg refereed his first game in the big league in 2014 and was added to the full-time staff in 2017. He received a perfect grade for calling balls and strikes while working at the plate in Game 2 of the 2022 World Series. between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies.

His other postseason assignments include the 2018 AL Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium, a 2019 NL Division Series, a 2020 NL Wild Card Series, the 2020 NL Championship Series, a 2021 NL Division Series and a 2022 AL Division Series .He also handled replay duties during the 2021 World Series.

Hoberg umpired in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and was chosen to work the plate for the “Field of Dreams Game” between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees in August 2021. That was the first Major League game that was played in Iowa, where he grew up. upwards.

Before becoming a Major League ump, Hoberg spent time in the minors, working in the Pacific Coast League, the Texas League and the Florida State League, among others.