NEW YORK — Pitcher Max Scherzer has been suspended 10 games during Major League Baseball.
Scherzer initially appealed the suspension, but soon withdrew. In exchange, the fine was reduced from $10,000 to $5,000, a person familiar with negotiations between MLB and the players union told The Associated Press. The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced by the parties.
Michael Hill, MLB’s vice president of operations, imposed the punishment.
Scherzer became the third pitcher in June 2021 to stop using adhesives in the majors. Hector Santiago of Seattle was convicted on June 28 of that year, and Caleb Smith of Arizona on August 24. Both were banned for 10 games.
Three of the investigations that led to the suspension involved umpire Bill Gucci.
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, was ejected Wednesday in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. He said the sticky substance was resin and sweat and not an unknown substance.
After the second innings, he found Scherzer’s hand sticky and darker than normal and ordered him to wash it. Scherzer said he complied and wiped his hand with alcohol while a Major League Baseball employee looked on.
After the third inning, Guzzi determined that Scherzer’s glove pocket was “sticky,” possibly containing a lot of resin, and ordered the pitcher to change gloves. The 38-year-old right-hander was checked by the umpires before the fourth inning and his hands were worse than ever.
Mets manager Buck Showalter described Scherzer’s mood as strong, and noted that the pitcher was ahead when the team took the field after Wednesday’s game.
“He loved what his teammates did to support him,” Showalter said. “He’s very competitive, but he wants the best for the team.
Scott Boras, the player’s agent, said in a statement that each person’s sticky situation is different for each referee.
“No one can explain what is more sticky,” he said, “and there is no unit to measure it. One referee has a different standard from other referees.”
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