On July 20th, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that New York Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith had been suspended for 10 games for using a banned sticky substance during the Subway Series against the New York Yankees.
The incident occurred during the second game of the series, when Smith was caught by umpires applying a foreign substance to his glove and pitching hand. After an investigation, MLB determined that Smith had used a banned sticky substance, which is prohibited under the league’s rules.
Smith has accepted his suspension without appeal and will serve the 10-game ban immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Mets’ active roster on August 3rd.
The use of foreign substances by pitchers has been a major issue in MLB in recent years, with several high-profile players being suspended for using banned substances. The league has taken a zero-tolerance approach to the issue, and Smith’s suspension is just the latest example of MLB’s commitment to enforcing its rules.
The Mets have expressed their disappointment with Smith’s actions, but have also praised him for accepting his punishment without appeal. The team has stated that they will continue to support Smith and help him move forward from this incident.
MLB’s decision to suspend Smith for 10 games sends a clear message that the league will not tolerate the use of foreign substances by its players. It is hoped that this suspension will serve as a deterrent to other players who may be tempted to use banned substances in an effort to gain an advantage on the field.
