Edwin Díaz Ejected After Sticky Substance Check; Suspension To Follow

A seemingly normal Sunday night changed very quickly in the bottom of the ninth inning during the series finale between the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs. During Sunday’s rubber game at Wrigley Field, Edwin Díaz entered a three-run ballgame for a save opportunity and was promptly ejected before even throwing a pitch.

Given Díaz was set to close the game, his hands were checked directly after entering the game. Crew chief umpire Vic Carapazza subsequently ejected the Mets’ closer after he unsuccessfully pleaded his case. Manager Carlos Mendoza joined the conversation but Díaz was ultimately sent off and Drew Smith replaced him. The Mets were able to hold on for the 5-2 victory.

After the game, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that crew chief umpire Vic Carapazza said Díaz had too much rosin on his hand, leading to the ejection. However, Carapazza himself was quoted after the game saying, “It definitely wasn’t rosin and sweat. We’ve checked 1000’s of these. I know what that feeling is. This was very sticky.”

Meanwhile, Edwin Díaz himself confirmed in a postgame interview that his hand featured a combination of sweat, rosin, and a little bit of dirt. Nothing different than any other game.

Rosin, itself, is not a “foreign substance.” However, umpires may rule rosin to be a prohibited substance if it’s used excessively or on parts of the uniform other than the hands, wrists, and forearms. That is apparently what was ruled in Sunday’s game.

A sticky substance ejection carries a 10-game suspension. These suspensions can be appealed, however, an appeal for sticky substance ejection has yet to be won. Importantly, per the rule, clubs are not be able to fill the roster spot while a player is under suspension for a sticky substance ejection. The Mets will have to roll short-staffed with 25 men until Díaz is eligible to return.

Both Max Scherzer and Drew Smith were ejected after sticky substance checks in 2023 for the Mets. Both served their 10-game suspension and returned afterwards.

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