New York Mets reliever Edwin Diaz has decided not to appeal his 10-game suspension for violating the rules on foreign substances. He will begin serving the suspension on Tuesday during the Mets’ game against the Yankees at Citi Field and will be eligible to return on July 6 when the team faces the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
Diaz, the team’s closer, was ejected from a game on Sunday night before he had the chance to pitch in the ninth inning for a save opportunity. A routine check by umpires found what they believed to be an excessive amount of sticky substance on his hand and equipment. Diaz explained that he uses rosin, sweat, and dirt for grip on the ball, but MLB officials deemed it too much.
Despite Diaz’s protestations that he had nothing unusual on his hand or equipment, he was still ejected from the game. It was later reported that MLB’s rule on sticky substances is binary – either there is one present or there isn’t.
If Diaz chooses not to appeal, he will miss the two-game Subway Series against the Yankees, a three-game series against the Houston Astros, and a four-game series against the Washington Nationals.