Overview

• Lucas Giolito raised alarm about a surge in violent social-media threats linked to prop bets during a private July 22 meeting with Commissioner Rob Manfred
• Manfred acknowledged the severity of the issue but did not outline any new measures beyond the 2022 CBA’s threat-reporting hotline and stadium betting-line ban
• Players report receiving insults, financial demands and death wishes on Instagram and Twitter/X with few senders facing suspension or league discipline
• Earlier incidents include reliever Liam Hendriks revealing death threats in May, a police investigation into Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.’s family threats, and Giants pitchers Tyler Rogers and Matt Chapman privatizing their payment apps
• Union and team leaders are urging MLB to strengthen enforcement and expand protections as gambling-driven harassment intensifies