White Sox minor league pitcher suspended for using too much pine tar

By Mark Powell | May 21, 2021

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: A view of the visitors' on-deck circle mat with a variety of weighted bats and donuts and pine tar and batting sleeves before the start of the Washington Nationals MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

Minor-league baseball has taken a stand against pitchers using sticky substances to increase spin rate. Could MLB be next?

Chicago White Sox minor league pitcher Marcus Evey has been suspended 10 games for using pine tar to increase his pitch grip. On the surface, this wouldn’t be a story worth writing, but given the evolving storyline at the next level — in that pitchers are dominating baseball like they haven’t in decades, to the tune of six no-hitters through mid-May — so called sticky substances and/or pine tar is being limited like never before.

Evey, a pitcher for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, was thrown out of a game last Thursday after his glove was inspected by umpires.

“I know the MLB is making it a point of emphasis,” Fayetteville Woodpeckers manager Ray Hernandez said of the incident. “It was unfortunate for Evey, he was throwing really well. Hopefully, our guys have learned from the experience.”

MLB cracking down on pine tar and sticky substances

Evey was selected in the 20th round by the New York Yankees in 2018, and had since signed on with the White Sox.

After not pitching in 2020 due to a canceled minor-league center, Evey is trying to catch on in Low-A ball for the ChiSox. This likely won’t help matters, as he already had a 9.39 in five appearances on the year.

Next. Aaron Boone has unique solution to White Sox Yermin Mercedes’ drama. dark

Home/Chicago White Sox