Categories: NewsZ-Home Slider

Orioles’ Brian Matusz Suspended Eight Games For Foreign Substance On Arm

The MLB has decided to crack down, yet again, on pitchers using a foreign substance to better grip the ball.

Brian Matusz Suspended

Recently, there have been two high-profile instances where pitchers were caught with a visible foreign substance — aka what looked like pine tar — on their arms: Baltimore Orioles’ Brian Matusz was ejected in the 12th inning against Miami and last week the Brewers’ Will Smith was tossed while playing the Braves.

And in both cases, the MLB handed down a harsh eight-game suspension to each pitcher. Now, both of these players did something illegal and therefore it is necessary to punish them. However, in the next offseason, the league office really needs to take a good hard look at this rule.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

First, is it fair to suspend these players, especially when half of the league does this: as last year’s high profile incident with the Yanks’ Michael Pineda showed, the rule is only enforced when it is extremely obvious.

And second, if pine tar helps pitchers, who throw upwards of 99 MPH, control the ball in cold weather, then why not allow it in the name of player safety.

Every year pitchers are caught doing this and after every incident baseball writers question the validity of the rule. Either change the rule completely or strictly enforce it throughout the league. But if the MLB was truly concerned with player safety, then it would do the former.

Both Will Smith and Brian Matusz plan to appeal their eight-game suspensions.

Anthony Falco

Recent Posts

Rob Manfred Insists That Athletics Are On Track For 2028 Move To Las Vegas

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred provided assuring words after questions arose concerning the Athletics' impending move…

13 hours ago

Geno Auriemma Breaks All-Time Coaching Wins Record In UConn Win Over Fairleigh Dickinson

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma made history Wednesday, earning his 1,217th career victory in…

1 day ago

Braves’ Chris Sale Wins N.L. Cy Young Award After Stunning Comeback Season

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale was named the 2024 N.L. Cy Young Award winner Wednesday,…

1 day ago

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

3 days ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

3 days ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

3 days ago