Mets Closer Edwin Diaz Decides Not to Appeal 10-Game Suspension for Excessive Sticky Substance

Edwin Diaz, the closer for the New York Mets, has decided not to appeal his 10-game suspension for using an excessive amount of sticky substance on his hand and equipment. He will begin serving the suspension on Tuesday during the Mets’ game against the Yankees at Citi Field and will be eligible to return on July 6 when the team faces the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

On Sunday night, Diaz was ejected from a game before he had a chance to pitch in the ninth inning for a save opportunity. A routine check by umpires found what they believed to be too much sticky substance on his hand and equipment. Despite Diaz’s protests that he used rosin, sweat, and dirt for grip on the ball, he was still ejected from the game.

MLB’s rule on sticky substances is binary – either it is present or it isn’t. The league officials deemed it as excessive. If Diaz chooses not to appeal, he will miss out on two crucial series against his rival team, New York Yankees in Subway Series and Houston Astros in three-game series and Washington Nationals in four-game series.