Why was MLB pitcher Edwin Díaz ejected and what was the sticky substance on his hand?

New York Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz was ejected from the MLB game against the Chicago Cubs after referees found him to have a foreign substance on his hand.

The Braves, Phillies, and Nationals have all beaten the Mets who are trudging through a terrible campaign, with the Puerto Rican’s expulsion adding insult to injury. However, against the Cubs, things looked to be going well, with the Mets in a strong position in the Game, although Díaz would ultimately play no part.

Will Edwin Díaz be banned?

The incident occurred prior to Diaz’s entry into the ninth inning when second-base umpire Brian Walsh discovered a sticky substance on his hands and glove. Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza came out to talk with the umpires, but the decision was already confirmed.

The group of officials examined both his hands and glove not long after he ran onto the field, and the two-time All Star was removed. The pitcher now faces a 10-game suspension under MLB Rule 6.02, although he can appeal.

What was on Edwin Díaz’s hand?

It was the third base umpire and crew chief Vic Carapazza who made the final call; while Diaz was unhappy with the decision, the officiating crew eventually agreed that the substance on his hand was not the typical combination of rosin, sweat, and infield dirt. “We’ve checked thousands of these,” Carapazza said after the Game. “I know what that feeling is. This was very sticky.”

“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 today”, Díaz rebutted. “I was really surprised because I didn’t have anything on my hand, my glove, my belt.”

“They always check my hat, everything. They just thought that it was sticky a lot.” We are not sure what the substance was, so I’ll let you make up your own mind, dear reader.