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San Diego Padres' relief pitcher, Robert Suárez, has found himself ensnared in Major League Baseball's (MLB) ongoing efforts to rid the game of illicit foreign substances. On Friday, Suárez was slapped with a 10-game suspension, adding him to the growing list of pitchers penalized for using the so-called "sticky stuff." The news, disclosed by MLB's senior vice president for on-field operations, Michael Hill, came as a surprise to many.
The Appeal and the Ejection
In a move indicative of his denial of any wrongdoing, Suárez swiftly appealed the suspension, directing his grievances to John McHale Jr., a key assistant to the MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
This appeal ensures any suspension is placed on hold, delaying its implementation until a decision has been reached. The incident leading to Suárez's suspension occurred during a Wednesday match against Miami. Before even launching a pitch in the eighth inning, Suárez was flagged and ejected for the presence of a sticky substance on his left wrist and arm.
But the pitcher didn't remain silent. He countered the allegations, claiming that the substance was merely sunscreen—a necessary protection given the day's sunny disposition. "We were doing a routine check," stated crew chief Todd Tichenor, elucidating on the ejection.
"We deemed it was too sticky, very sticky, and he was ejected from the game."
Echoes from the Past
The crackdown on illicit foreign substances in baseball is not new. Since MLB began its stringent measures in June 2021, several players have fallen under the scanner.
Notably, Seattle's Héctor Santiago and Arizona's Caleb Smith had to serve suspensions for similar violations. This season alone has seen other prominent names from the baseball world face suspensions. The Mets' Max Scherzer and Drew Smith, as well as the Yankees' starter Domingo Germán, have been sidelined for their alleged involvement in using banned substances.
The situation underscores the fine line between maintaining the integrity of the sport and understanding the genuine needs of the players on the field.
