New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz has decided not to appeal his 10-game suspension for violating the regulations on foreign substances. Instead, he will start serving the suspension on Tuesday during the Mets’ game against the Yankees at Citi Field and will be eligible to return on July 6 for the Mets’ game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
On Sunday, Diaz was set to pitch the ninth inning of a game with a 5-2 lead when he was checked for foreign substances and subsequently ejected from the game. Despite his insistence that he was not using any illegal substances, he was still removed from the game. SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported that MLB’s rules are clear on the detection of sticky substances, with it being a yes or no determination rather than a measure of stickiness.
Diaz explained that he typically uses rosin, sweat, and dirt to enhance his grip on the ball but was deemed to have too much stickiness on his hands and equipment. He said that he had been using these substances for years without any issues until this incident occurred.
If Diaz chooses not to appeal, he will miss two games against the Yankees in the Subway Series, as well as subsequent series against the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. This is a significant blow for the Mets, who have been struggling this season and need all their players healthy and performing at their best.
