MLB Rumors: Execs Say It's Widespread Pitchers Try to Enhance without Getting Caught

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz's recent 10-game suspension for violating MLB's regulations on foreign substances is not an isolated incident, according to people in the league.

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, executives and scouts around the league believe the sticky-substance issue is a widespread problem that teams are finding ways to get around.

"The key is trying to see how they're doing it," one veteran executive told Nightengale. "If umpires started checking infielders' gloves, I think they'd find the answer."

Diaz was set to pitch the ninth inning for the Mets with a 5-2 lead over the Chicago Cubs on June 23, but he was ejected before throwing a pitch after the umpires found a foreign substance when they inspected his hands and glove.

Diaz told reporters after the game the substance was rosin, sweat and dirt.

"I use the same thing always," he said. "I rub rosin, sweat, and I put my hand in the dirt a little bit, because I need to have some grip on the ball. So that's what I was explaining to them, but they said it was too much stick."

MLB's official rules allow pitchers to use the rosin bag on their hand, wrist and forearm to assist in managing sweat, but they are "prohibited from applying it to their gloves and uniforms, nor are they allowed to combine rosin with any other substance, such as sunscreen."

The rule was adopted in 2021 to combat the rising strikeout rates across the league, which were attributed to pitchers being able to increase spin rates on the ball by getting a better grip using various foreign substances.

Umpires conduct inspections on starting pitchers between innings and/or when they are removed from a game. Relievers are inspected when they come into the game. Inspections include looking at the hand, glove, belt and hat, but umpires are also allowed to look at other areas of the uniform or body if it is deemed necessary.

An ejection for a foreign substance triggers an automatic 10-game suspension, though players are allowed to appeal. MLB has yet to overturn a suspension since the policy was implemented.

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco is the only other player who has been suspended for a substance violation so far this season.