Baltimore Orioles’ Brian Matusz ejected for using foreign substance
By Len Nunes
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz becomes latest player ejected for having foreign substance on arm.
On May 22nd the MLB handed down an eight game suspension to Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Will Smith for having a foreign substance on his arm. Not even 48 hours later, the league has pinched another pitcher committing the same crime.
With their game against the Marlins tied at zero and heading into the bottom of the 12th, the Baltimore Orioles brought in Brian Matusz. Prior to this, his last outing was a rough one versus Seattle when he gave up two runs in his one inning of relief.
Matusz would face two Miami batters, collecting a strikeout and inducing a ground out, before this happened:
The foreign substance is in practically the same spot as Smith’s was – though much less shiny and visible on television (to Matusz’s credit).
Also to Matusz’s credit, he walked off the field quietly, rather than a ball of rage like Smith. That said, Mr. Matusz is still a cheater!
He can likely expect the same eight game suspension that Smith received. However, if Matusz gets fewer than eight games, it sets a precedent to all the other cheaters that if you don’t act like a jerk after being caught, your penalty will be lighter.
Bet you Commissioner Manfred wishes pace of play and Pete Rose were still his biggest issues.