Edwin Díaz Suspended 10 Games for Using Foreign Substances
New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz has been hit with a 10-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's rules against foreign substances. The announcement came from MLB on Monday.
Sticky Situation: Díaz Ejected Before Pitching Due to Suspicious Substance
The suspension, effective Tuesday's game against the Yankees, stems from an incident on Sunday night. Díaz was ejected by umpires before throwing a pitch in the ninth inning of the Mets' win over the Cubs. A sticky substance was discovered on his hand during a routine check.
Mets closer Edwin Díaz suspended 10 games for foreign substance https://t.co/Y1ESPjojvW pic.twitter.com/oNRXA3cw84
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) June 24, 2024
Source: Twitter/Eyewitness News
Díaz, however, maintains his innocence. The 30-year-old pitcher claims he only uses rosin, sweat, and dirt on his hands, a routine he insists he always follows. "I was genuinely surprised because I had nothing on my hand, glove, or belt," Díaz told reporters.
Umpires Unconvinced: Substance Deemed More Than Rosin and Sweat
However, umpires had a different take. Crew chief Vic Carapazza, in a pool report, stated the substance found on Díaz's hand was "definitely not rosin and sweat." He elaborated on his experience in detecting foreign substances, describing the material as "very sticky and different" from allowed materials.
Mets’ Edwin Diaz suspended 10 games for sticky-stuff violation with potential appeal looming https://t.co/l50LUF2z37 pic.twitter.com/GkTg22pTIV
— New York Post (@nypost) June 24, 2024
Source: Twitter/nypost
Both Díaz and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the umpire's belief that the amount of rosin, sweat, and dirt on Díaz's hand was excessive. While not admitting guilt, Mendoza did respect the decision, stating, "The rules are the rules, and they made the decision to throw him out."
Struggles Continue for Díaz: Suspension Adds to Challenging Season
This suspension adds another layer of difficulty to Díaz's already challenging season. The two-time All-Star has only managed seven saves with a less-than-stellar 4.70 ERA. He missed the entire 2021 season due to a knee injury and has battled a shoulder issue this year, landing him on the injured list for two weeks before returning on June 13th.
This suspension marks the eighth time a pitcher has been penalized for using foreign substances since MLB ramped up enforcement in 2021. Notably, three of these suspensions have involved Mets pitchers, including Max Scherzer and Drew Smith from last season.
Díaz now has the option to appeal the suspension to MLB special assistant John McHale Jr. If he chooses to do so, the penalty will be on hold until the appeal process is complete.
Read more such news on techinsighttoday
Thank you so much for reading.