Apr 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) reacts after being ejected during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers
(New York, NY) — MLB has made an example out of the Mets ace.
Max Scherzer has received a 10-game suspension following his ejection from Wednesday’s start against the Dodgers for the use of an illegal foreign substance. Despite swearing on his children’s lives that he wasn’t using an illegal substance, it apparently wasn’t good enough for MLB.
Scherzer ultimately decided not to appeal since it wouldn’t be heard by a neutral arbiter and instead will begin serving his suspension on Thursday evening. By starting immediately, Scherzer will be be lined up to pitch against the Braves on the Mets’ next homestand.
“That is the best thing for the Mets at this point in time,” Scherzer said. “I hope that we can modify the rule. The intent of this rule was to clean up the game of stuff causing spin rates to spike, but I don’t think it was intended to crack down on pitchers using legal substances. I used legal substances.”
The 38-year-old joins Hector Santiago and Caleb Smith as the only pitcher to receive 10-game suspensions since MLB instituted its crackdown on illegal substances.
Crew chief Dan Bellino said that Scherzer’s hand “was so sticky that when we touched his hand, our fingers were sticking to his hand.”
The MLB rulebook states that applying rosin to your glove is illegal
Unfortunately for the Mets, they won’t have the ability to replace him on the active roster for their next 10 games. He will be eligible to return from suspension on May 1.
