New York Mets pitcher Edwin Diaz faced a sticky situation during the team’s recent game against the Chicago Cubs. Diaz was ejected from the game after umpires discovered a foreign substance on his hand. The incident occurred in the ninth inning as Diaz was set to close out the game.
Third-base umpire Vic Carapazza noticed a sticky substance on Diaz’s throwing hand and glove during an inspection. Diaz and manager Carlos Mendoza explained that the substance was a combination of rosin, sweat, and dirt that Diaz uses to get a better grip on the ball. However, Carapazza deemed it to be too sticky, leading to Diaz’s ejection.
Carapazza defended his decision by stating that he has inspected many similar cases and recognized the excessive stickiness on Diaz’s hand. This ejection will result in a 10-game automatic suspension for Diaz, making him the eighth pitcher to face consequences for using sticky substances since MLB’s crackdown in 2021.
Mendoza expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome this setback, emphasizing the need for other players to step up in Diaz’s absence. Despite missing the entire previous season due to injury, Diaz has made 23 appearances this year, accumulating a 4.70 ERA and seven saves. The Mets currently hold a record of 37-39 for the season.
This incident adds to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding pitchers’ use of foreign substances in Major League Baseball. Diaz joins a list of players, including his Mets teammates Max Scherzer and Drew Smith, who have faced suspensions for similar infractions. As the team navigates Diaz’s absence, they will need to rely on other players to fill the void and continue their pursuit of a successful season.