New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz ejected for using sticky substance, potentially facing suspension
June 24, UPI Before facing the Chicago Cubs, umpires decided that Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets was using something sticky on his pitching hand, and he was dismissed. The MLB has now suspended him for ten games.
Before the bottom of the ninth inning of the Mets’ 5-2 victory on Sunday at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the event took place. Diaz denied violating the foreign-substance regulations of MLB, claiming to have used dirt, rosin, and perspiration on his hands. The automatic suspension is appealable.
According to chief of the umpire crew Vic Carapazza, “it definitely wasn’t rosin and sweat,” as stated in the pool report. We have thousands of these checked. I am familiar with that emotion.
“This was very sticky.”
Even in the bottom of the last inning, the Mets maintained their three-run advantage. The umpires approached Diaz on the field and inquired about his sticky skin, stroking his hand. They moved to evict him as a result of their conversation.
“I was really surprised because I didn’t have anything on my hand, glove or belt,” Diaz stated to reporters. “They examine everything at all times. They believed it was sticking quite a bit.”
Instead of Diaz, fellow relief pitcher Drew Smith assumed the mound. The next two batters he faced were retired by him. After that, he gave Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson a single.
Smith was replaced for the final exchange by pitcher Jake Diekman. Diekman then recorded his third save of the year by striking out pinch hitter Patrick Wisdom on three pitches.
When questioned about Diaz’s dismissal, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza responded, “Obviously the rules are the rules.” “They made the decision to throw him out.”
With 23 appearances this season, Diaz, 30, has the second-worst ERA of his career at 4.70. After two weeks on the disabled list, the two-time All-Star returned on June 13 and is now 2-1 with seven saves.
In his last three outings, the right-hander has given up only two hits and no runs in three innings while recording two saves.
Due to a knee injury, Diaz missed the whole 2023 season. In 2022, he recorded a career-best 1.31 ERA with 32 saves over 61 appearances.
I will let my teammates down for ten games, which makes it difficult,” Diaz remarked. “It’s unfortunate, as I was able to return from the injured list. I played well and contributed to this team’s victory. It stinks to have to miss ten more games now.”
The New York Yankees (52-28) will visit the Mets (37-39) in Queens on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. EDT.
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