New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer has been suspended by the MLB over the circumstances surrounding his ejection from Wednesday's showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
To recall, Scherzer was sent off the field in the middle of the fourth inning during Wednesday's game after umpires discovered that he's using a foreign substance. When told to wash his hands, it only got stickier.
Scherzer defended that it was caused by a combination of sweat and rosin, but the umpires had doubts because of the excessive stickiness.
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Max Scherzer Suspension
After reviewing video of the incident and reports related to it, the MLB has decided to slap Max Scherzer with a 10-game suspension. He was found to have violated the league's policy that prohibits the use of foreign substances to aid in the grip of the ball.
The news of his suspension was first reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN. The MLB later released a statement explaining the decision to hit the Mets' star pitcher with such heavy punishment.
"Despite having been warned earlier in the game, including being required to make an equipment change, Mr Scherzer was found to be in violation of the foreign substance prohibitations of the official Baseball Rules prior to the bottom of the fourth inning. After being checked at the conclusion of the second inning, Mr. Scherzer was told to wash his hands prior to returning for the next inning, and that he would be inspected again prior to the third inning," the MLB said.
"When Mr. Scherzer was inspected prior to pitching in the third inning, the umpires found that his pitching hand was clean, but found a sticky substance in the pocket of his glove, and Mr. Scherzer was told to replace his glove. The umpires inspected Mr. Scherzer for a final time when he was walking to the mound to pitch in the fourth inning, and that Mr. Scherzer's throwing hand was even more glossy and sticky than it was during the second inning inspection, despite not yet even throwing a pitch."
According to the latest updates, though, Max Scherzer initially planned to appeal the suspension. Nonetheless, he decided to drop it after leanring that his argument would be heard by MLB special adviser John McHale Jr., via ESPN.
Scherzer noted that he thought his appeal would be heard by a neutral arbitrator instead of someone from the MLB. Considering the circumstances and the overall process, he expressed his belief that he wouldn't win his appeal anyway.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner will begin his suspension immediately.
With his punishment, Scherzer is set to miss their four-game series against the San Francisco Giants that start Thursday, as well as their match-ups against the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves.
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