New York Mets Closer Edwin Diaz Ejected After Umpires Find Sticky Substance

The New York Mets’ season-long roller coaster took another turn Sunday.

Leading 5-2 heading into the ninth inning, manager Carlos Mendoza brought on his closer Edwin Diaz to secure the series victory as the Orange and Blue vault themselves back into playoff contention.

Diaz never threw a pitch.

The umpires checked his hand and determined that what the pitcher had on was illegal, tossing him from the game. Diaz claimed it was a mixture of sweat and rosin, but the umpires felt differently and did not change their minds.

The Puerto Rican native faces a suspension of ten games per the MLB rule book, and the player cannot be replaced on the major league roster. However, Diaz will be allowed to appeal, although he has not yet done so.

After the game, Diaz claimed that what he used was common when he pitched.

He told SNY, “I was really surprised because I didn’t have anything on my hand, my glove, my belt. They always check my hat, everything. And they thought that was sticky a lot. I said, ‘You could check my hand, smell my hand,’ and they didn’t smell anything, but they threw me out of the game.”

Diaz’s career has taken a difficult turn since he signed the largest contract for a reliever in MLB history after the 2022 season, earning $120 million over five years. He did not throw a pitch last season after tearing his right patellar tendon during the World Baseball Classic. In 2024, he has struggled to regain his previous form with four blown saves in 23 appearances and a negative WAR.

The Mets need the best version of Diaz after their surprising vault up the National League standings. After being forced to tear down parts of the most expensive roster in the Majors during the 2023 season, Mendoza’s team was 29-37 before winning eight of their last ten. They now sit one game off the third spot in the NL wild card.