Mets closer Edwin Díaz suspended 10 games after being ejected vs Cubs for foreign substance on hand

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz was suspended 10 games on Monday by Major League Baseball after his ejection from a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs for having a foreign substance on his hand.

Díaz became the eighth pitcher suspended for sticky stuff since MLB cracked down on pitchers attempting to use foreign substances to improve their grip and spin rates in 2021. Three of them have been Mets, including Max Scherzer and Drew Smith last year.

Houston's Ronel Blanco was suspended on May 15.

Díaz's suspension, issued by MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill, will start with Tuesday's Subway Series opener against the New York Yankees at Citi Field unless the pitcher appeals to MLB special assistant John McHale Jr. If Díaz appeals, the penalty would be held in abeyance until the disciplinary process is complete.