Mariners’ Hector Santiago 1st pitcher ejected for foreign substance rule

CHICAGO (AP) — Seattle Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago became the first player to be ejected as part of Major League Baseball’s new foreign substance protocols when he was thrown out of Sunday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

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Santiago was checked by the umpires as he exited in the fifth inning. His glove was confiscated, and it was later announced that Santiago had been ejected.

The umpires had a lengthy conversation with Santiago and Mariners manager Scott Servais on the field after checking Santiago’s glove.

Santiago and Servais both contended in press conferences after the game that Santiago only used rosin, which is not a banned substance, and that the umpires only found rosin combined with sweat inside of his glove.

Scott Servais in his post game meeting with the media said that umpire Phil Cuzzi said he felt something sticky in the glove, Servais says it was rosin. Glove gets sent for analysis.

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) June 27, 2021

The Mariners are confident that Héctor Santiago will not be suspended for 10 games as part of new protocols for grip-enhancing agents after he was ejected today.

Santiago and Scott Servais said that the legal rosin he was using created a sticky moisture when rubbed with sweat.

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 27, 2021

Santiago was charged with one run and three hits in 2 1/3 innings in the resumption of Saturday’s game, which was postponed by rain. He took over for rookie Logan Gilbert, who pitched two scoreless innings to start the game Saturday.

Major league umpires last week started regular checks of all pitchers for sticky substances used to get a better grip on the balls, but can also increase the spin of the balls and make hitting them more difficult.

Santiago could be suspended for 10 games, but there is an appeals process. The Mariners would not be allowed to replace Santiago on their active roster for the entire 10 games if he is suspended.

Brent Stecker of 710Sports.com contributed to this post.

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