Mets closer Edwin Díaz suspended 10 games for foreign substance - ESPN

New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz has been suspended 10 games and fined an undisclosed amount after violating prohibitions on foreign substances, Major League Baseball announced Monday.

The suspension, issued by MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill, will begin Tuesday, when the Mets are set to host the New York Yankees at Citi Field, unless he appeals the discipline. If Díaz appeals to MLB special assistant John McHale Jr., the penalty will be held in abeyance until the disciplinary process is complete.

Díaz was ejected before he took the mound in the ninth inning of the Mets' 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night by crew chief Vic Carapazza after a sticky, discolored substance was found on Díaz's right hand.

Edwin Díaz is the eighth pitcher (and third for the Mets) to be suspended for a foreign substance since MLB's policy was implemented in June 2021.

Díaz, 30, told reporters he uses only rosin, sweat and dirt on his hands.

«I use the same thing, always,» he said. «I rub rosin, sweat and I put my hand in the dirt a little bit so I can have some grip on the ball.… I was really surprised because I didn't have anything on my hand, glove or belt. They always check everything.»

Carapazza said in a pool report after the game it «definitely wasn't rosin and sweat» on Díaz's hand.

«We've checked thousands of these,» Carapazza said. «I know what that feeling is. This was very sticky.»

Both Díaz and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the umpire said he thought the pitcher had too much of a combination of rosin, sweat and dirt on his throwing hand.

«The rules are the rules, and they made the decision to throw him out,» Mendoza said.

Díaz, a two-time All-Star, has struggled this season, with just