CHICAGO (AP) — New York Mets nearer Edwin Díaz is dealing with a 10-game suspension after being ejected from the workforce’s 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday evening for having a international substance on his hand.
Díaz could be the eighth pitcher suspended for sticky stuff since MLB cracked down on pitchers trying to make use of international substances to enhance their grip and spin charges in 2021. Three of them have been Mets, together with Max Scherzer and Drew Smith final 12 months.
The best-hander got here on within the ninth to attempt to seal the victory for the Mets, however was tossed by third-base umpire Vic Carapazza earlier than throwing a pitch after an inspection of his glove and throwing hand.
Each Díaz and supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned the umpire mentioned he thought the pitcher had an excessive amount of of a mix of rosin, sweat and grime on his throwing hand.
“The principles are the foundations they usually made the choice to throw him out,” Mendoza mentioned.
Carapazza, the crew chief, mentioned in a pool report after sport it “positively wasn’t rosin and sweat” on Díaz’s hand.
“We’ve checked hundreds of those,” Carapazza mentioned. “I do know what that feeling is. This was very sticky.”
Díaz, who mentioned he was “actually shocked” by the ejection, was not sure whether or not he’ll enchantment the suspension.
“I exploit the identical factor at all times,” Díaz mentioned. “I rub rosin and sweat and put my hand within the grime slightly bit to get a grip on the ball.”
He’s the third Mets pitcher to be ejected for such an offense within the final 12 months.
Smith, who was ejected and suspended 10 video games final 12 months for the same offense, obtained two outs rather than Díaz. Jake Diekman then got here in and struck out pinch-hitter Patrick Knowledge for his third save for the Mets, who’ve gained 4 straight sequence.
New York has gained 10 of 13 and is 13-6 in June and may must discover a momentary nearer for the following two weeks. The Mets start a two-game sequence in opposition to the visiting Yankees on Tuesday earlier than internet hosting Houston for 3 video games.
“Look, we’ve been via quite a bit this 12 months,” Mendoza mentioned. “We’ll discover a approach to get via it, ? We’ll proceed to piece it collectively and, yeah, guys are going to must step up. And I’m fairly assured that we’ll get guys right here which are going to have the ability to get us to the end line when he’s out.”
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