Max Scherzer suspension comes down, Mets star appealing as expected

New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer was officially suspended for 10 games for his use of rosin, but the ace is expected to appeal the decision.

On Thursday, New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer was ejected after multiple checks for an illegal foreign substance on his hand. Despite switching gloves and getting approval by first base umpire Phil Cuzzi, he was informed that his hand was still sticky and with Scherzer pleading his case, he was thrown out of the game.

After the game, Scherzer swore on his kids lives that it was only rosin and sweat on his hand, and that he would “have to be an absolute idiot” to use an illegal substance.

Getting ejected for using a sticky substance is subject to an automatic 10-game suspension. After a full day, MLB officially handed the 10-game ban to Scherzer, in addition to a $10,000 fine.

Scherzer plans to appeal the suspension.

MLB released an official statement on the matter, which you can view below, courtesy of MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand:

MLB suspends Max Scherzer for alleged use of foreign substance

"“MLB reviewed relevant video and first-person reports, including a report from the umpiring crew led by Crew Chief Dan Bellino. Despite having been warned earlier in the game, including being required to make an equipment change, Mr. Scherzer was found to be in violation of the foreign substance prohibitions of the Official Baseball Rules prior to the bottom of the fourth inning.”"

The statement included a detailed description from the umpiring crew regarding Scherzer’s throwing hand and how it was still “glossy” after the series of inspections.

"“After being checked at the conclusion of the second inning, Mr. Scherzer was told to wash his hands prior to returning for the next inning, and that he would be inspected agian prior to the third inning. When Mr. Scherzer was inspected prior to pitching in the third inning, the umpires found that hsi pitching hand was clean, but found a sticky substance in the pocket of his glove, and Mr. Scherzer was told to replace his glove. The umpires inspected Mr. Scherzer for a final time when he was walking to the mound to pitch in the fourth inning, and found that Mr. Scherzer’s throwing hand was even more glossy and sticky than it was during the second inning inspection, despite not yet even throwing a pitch. Based on the umpires’ training to detect rosin on a pitcher’s hands, they concluded that the level of stickiness during the fourth inning was so extreme that it was inconsistent with the use of rosin and/or sweat alone. Both umpires reported difficulty removing the substance from their own hands for multiple innings afterward. Consistent with the Official Baseball Rules, the umpires then appropriately ejected Mr. Scherzer from the game.”"

Scherzer claimed after the game that an MLB official watched him wash his hands when he was told to do so.

Crew chief Dan Bellino told pool reporter Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times that Scherzer’s hand was “the stickiest [a hand] has been since I’ve been inspecting hands, which now goes back three seasons,” and that “it was so sticky that when we touched his hand, our fingers were sticking to his hand,”

Rosin is legal to use for MLB pitchers, but they can’t place it on their glove or uniform. As MLB revealed in their statement that the umpiring crew found that there was a sticky substance inside the pocket of Scherzer’s glove.

Scherzer will look to appeal, but is now slated to miss a start or two for the Mets. Their next three series are against the San Francisco Giants (Apr. 20-23), Washington Nationals (Apr. 25-27) and Atlanta Braves (Apr. 28-May 1).

UPDATE: Max Scherzer announced that he won’t appeal and will immediately serve the 10 game suspension.