Time: 2024-06-24
Mets closer Edwin Diaz was ejected from tonights game due to an apparent use of an illegal substance on his hands. Diaz was taking the field in the bottom of the ninth to try and preserve a 5-2 New York lead, but after the standard check every pitcher receives before entering and exiting games, crew chief Vic Carapazza tossed Diaz from the game. Drew Smith and Jake Diekman combined for a scoreless inning to preserve the Mets victory over the Chicago Cubs .
As per league rules, Diaz now faces a mandatory 10-game suspension for use of foreign substances. He wont be paid for those 10 games, and the Mets arent allowed to replace him on the roster, so the club will have to field a 25-man roster over the course of Diazs suspension. Diaz has the right to an appeal, so it is possible he might receive fewer than a 10-game ban, even if that scenario is rather unlikely given the seemingly apparent evidence.
Tonights incident is the latest turn in an up-and-down comeback season for Diaz, who missed all of the 2023 season due to a torn patellar tendon. Diaz has a 4.70 ERA over 23 innings and 23 appearances this season, recording seven saves in 11 chances. While he looked pretty close to his past All-Star form early in the year, a few shaky outings led the Mets to move Diaz into lower-leverage situations, and he was then sidelined entirely due to a shoulder impingement.
The right-hander missed a little over three weeks due to the injury, and has looked sharp in his three outings since being activated off the 15-day IL. Diaz has tossed three scoreless innings and earned two saves and a win in those three games, while allowing two hits and no walks, and striking out three batters.
Edwin Diaz is ejected from the Mets' game vs. the Cubs after a foreign substance was detected on his hand. Diaz, 30, was thrown out by crew chief Vic Carapazza before he took the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning. Carapazza confirmed there were no sticky substances on Diaz other than on his hand, but that's enough to get a player ejected. In recent years, Major League Baseball has cracked down on pitchers using foreign substances other than rosin because they allow for better grips and more spin on the ball.
Diaz claimed he uses only rosin, sweat, and dirt on his hands, denying the use of any illegal substances. The Mets did not argue the ejection or explain what happened, leading to Diaz facing an automatic 10-game suspension for the ejection. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza lamented the loss of Diaz, stating that the team would have to move on and other players would have to step up in Diaz's absence.
Drew Smith and Jake Diekman contributed to the Mets' victory on the night Diaz was ejected, pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Diaz has had a challenging season with just seven saves and a 4.70 ERA, and this suspension will further add to the difficulties he has faced this year. His absence will impact the Mets' bullpen strategy, likely returning them to a closer committee approach they previously used with Diaz out of the role.
Edwin Diaz now faces an automatic 10-game suspension for having an illegal substance on his hand during the game against the Cubs. Diaz expressed disappointment in letting his teammates down for 10 games and stated that it was a tough situation for him. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the loss of Diaz and mentioned that the team would have to adjust to playing short a man for the duration of the suspension.
Despite Diaz's suspension, the Mets managed to secure a victory on the night of his ejection, showcasing the depth of their bullpen. The incident with Diaz adds to a list of pitchers who have faced similar suspensions in recent seasons, highlighting the ongoing issue of foreign substances in Major League Baseball. Diaz's uncertain return to the team raises questions about the Mets' bullpen strategy moving forward and the impact his absence will have on the team's performance.
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