Max Scherzer of the New York Mets was ejected from the Los Angeles Dodgers game on Wednesday after the umpires extensively examined his glove and hand for the presence of a ‘sticky substance’.
Umpire Phil Cuzzi dismissed an angry-looking Scherzer, after looking at his glove and having a talk with the crew chief and plate umpire Dan Bellino.
The umpires had already instructed the 38-year-old right-hander to switch gloves before he entered the game. Before leaving the game, Scherzer was seen allegedly shouting “It’s rosin” at Bellino and Cuzzi.
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Scherzer had no choice but to change gloves in the third inning of Wednesday’s afternoon game because of a potential sticky substance. After receiving another sticky substance check that sent the pitcher into full-blown anger, Scherzer was dismissed an inning later.
Cameras captured the entire discussion, and keen lip readers believe Scherzer clearly told the umpires that what was on his hands was rosin, a permitted material pitchers are allowed to employ for their grip.
While Buck Showalter, the manager of the Mets, had a lengthy conversation with the umpires outside the dugout, Scherzer grudgingly returned to the bench. T his incident, unfortunately, comes after Scherzer just underwent back surgery and postponed his start until last week’s contest against the Dodgers.
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In his fourth start of the year, Scherzer went three innings without allowing a run on one hit. Additionally, he struck out three times throughout the brief afternoon’s effort.
This is the second case of sticky substances in MLB this year. Domingo German, a pitcher for the New York Yankees, received a second warning one inning after receiving the previous one to remove the rosin from his hands during a game on Saturday. This prompted Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli to be removed for arguing that German should have been ejected for refusing to comply.