New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz found himself in hot water after being ejected from a game against the Chicago Cubs for having an illegal substance on his pitching hand. The 30-year-old flamethrower was tossed by crew chief Vic Carapazza before even taking the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning. Carapazza described the substance as „extremely sticky“ and „discolored“, clearly indicating that it was something other than the allowed rosin, sweat, and dirt.
Diaz vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating that he only used the approved substances to enhance his grip on the ball. He even went as far as saying that he was surprised by the accusation since he didn’t have anything on his hand, glove, or belt. However, Carapazza confirmed that there was indeed a foreign sticky substance on Diaz’s hand, leading to the ejection.
As a result of the incident, Diaz now faces a mandatory 10-game suspension for using an illegal substance. While he has the option to appeal, he expressed his disappointment in potentially letting his teammates down for such a significant period. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the loss of Diaz and emphasized the need for other players to step up in his absence. Nevertheless, Drew Smith and Jake Diekman managed to close out the game successfully after Diaz’s departure.
Diaz’s struggles on the mound this season have been well-documented, with just seven saves and a high 4.70 ERA. His difficulties began with a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire previous season, followed by a brief stint on the injured list due to a shoulder problem earlier this year. Despite his challenges, Diaz’s absence due to suspension will undoubtedly be felt by the Mets bullpen.
Edwin Diaz’s run-in with the league’s policy on foreign substances has resulted in a significant setback for both himself and the New York Mets. The controversy surrounding his ejection and subsequent suspension will likely have lasting effects on his reputation as a pitcher and on his team’s performance in the coming games. As the league continues its crackdown on illegal substances, players like Diaz must be more vigilant in adhering to the rules to avoid similar repercussions in the future.
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