Mariners: Hector Santiago becomes first major leaguer ejected from game over new sticky substance policy (Video)

Seattle Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago was ejected from Sunday’s game after umpires apparently found a sticky substance in his glove.

On June 21, MLB officially began cracking down on illegal foreign substances used by pitchers to increase their spin rate and to alter pitches. With that, we saw umpires randomly check pitchers on and off the mound to check their gloves, hats and belts.

Well, the league may have found their first offender of their new sticky substance enforcement policy.

During Sunday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago’s glove was inspected by the umpiring crew, where they appeared to have found a sticky substance on it. As a result, Santiago was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. The glove was then handed over to an authenticator in the stands and was placed in a plastic bag, seemingly to be sent to the league for further investigation.

Mariners: Hector Santiago ejected after umpires inspect his glove

With the glove being investigated, Santiago will be facing a 10-game suspension if an illegal foreign substance is found. In that case, the Mariners will be unable to replace him on the roster during his suspension.

Santiago entered the game in the bottom of the third inning to replace Logan Gilbert. In his 2.1 innings of work before his ejection, Santiago allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out four batters and issuing two walks. The Mariners had the bases loaded at the time of his ejection, but J.T. Chargois got out of the jam by getting White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson to ground into a double play.

Official word from the league will likely arrive in the coming hours, but Santiago now holds the distinction of being the first player to get ejected under the new illegal foreign substance policy.