The Major League Baseball announced on Monday that New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz has been suspended for 10 games and fined an undisclosed amount for violating the prohibitions on foreign substances. The suspension was issued by MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill and is set to begin on Tuesday.
Diaz was ejected from the game before he even took the mound in the ninth inning of the Mets’ victory over the Chicago Cubs after a sticky, discolored substance was found on his right hand. Diaz claimed that he only uses rosin, sweat, and dirt on his hands for grip, but the crew chief Vic Carapazza disagreed, stating that it was not rosin and sweat on Diaz’s hand.
This incident adds to Diaz’s struggles this season, as he has only recorded seven saves with a 4.70 ERA. He missed all of last season due to a knee injury and spent some time on the injured list this season with a shoulder issue. This suspension also marks Diaz as the eighth pitcher to be suspended for using sticky substances since MLB cracked down on the issue in 2021.
Impact on the Mets
The Mets have had a rough history with such violations, as three of their pitchers, including Max Scherzer and Drew Smith, were suspended last year for similar offenses. The team will now have to navigate the loss of Diaz for 10 games and find a way to maintain their performance in his absence.
Overall, Edwin Diaz’s suspension serves as a reminder that MLB is serious about enforcing rules against foreign substances and maintaining the integrity of the game. The Mets will have to regroup and adjust to playing without their closer for the next 10 games as they continue their season.
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