Edwin Diaz to be suspended after being ejected for having a foreign substance on his hand

Just when people thought the New York Mets were heading in the right direction, something happened that could change that course. Closer Edwin Díaz was ejected in the ninth inning of Sunday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.

Díaz came out to try to seal the victory but was ejected for having a foreign substance after umpires checked his hands and glove. Reports indicate that the pitcher will be suspended for ten games. The Mets won 5-2 despite the departure of Díaz.

“I always use the same thing, rosin, sweat and I put my hands in the dirt a little because I needed to have a little grip on the ball. That was what I was explaining (to the umpires) today, but they said it was a little sticky,” Díaz said after the game.

“I was very surprised because I didn’t have anything in my hand, on my glove or strap. They always check on me. They said it was very sticky and I just told them ‘hey, you can touch and smell my hands, they don’t smell like anything.’ But they expelled me,” Díaz explained.

Contrary to what Edwin Díaz explained, chief umpire Vic Carapazza assured that it is an illegal substance. “It was definitely not rosin or sweat. We’ve tested thousands of these. I know what it feels like. This was very sticky,” he said.

Drew Smith retired two outs in place of Diaz before Jake Diekman struck out pinch-hitter Patrick Wisdom for his third save for the Mets, who have won four straight series.

Dominican Luis Severino pitched a six-inning shutout, Puerto Rican Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo hit consecutive home runs in New York’s victory. Luis Severino set a season-high 10 strikeouts and allowed three hits for New York, which has won 10 of 13 and improved to 13-6 in June. Mark Vientos added a solo home run for the Mets.