Mets' Drew Smith ejected from game without throwing pitch after sticky substance check

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New York Mets pitcher Drew Smith exited Tuesday night’s Subway Series matchup against the New York Yankees almost as quickly as he entered.

Smith was set to start his relief appearance in the seventh inning when he got checked out by an umpire to see whether there was anything suspicious on his hands. 

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Umpire Bill Miller ejects New York Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith during the seventh inning of the Yankees game Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Major League Baseball has cracked down on sticky substances over the last year. Max Scherzer was among the pitchers this year who was ejected and later suspended for 10 games for having a sticky substance on his hand.

Sure enough, the umpires determined Smith had a sticky substance on his hands and he was ejected from the game without ever throwing a pitch. He smiled as he walked off the mound and back into the dugout.

RED SOX INFIELDER TREVOR STORY HOPING TO RETURN TO LINEUP AS DESIGNATED HITTER AS EARLY AS JULY

Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith argues with umpire Bill Miller during the Yankees game Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

John Curtiss came into the game to replace him and threw to innings of one-hit ball and struck out two batters.

"They said both of my hands were too sticky," Smith said after the game. "Really surprised, because I haven’t done anything different all year. Sweat and rosin. I don’t know what else to say. Nothing changed. It’s just, I think the process is so arbitrary. It can change from one crew to the other and I think that’s the main issue."

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