CHICAGO, IL – Mets’ closer Edwin Diaz faced an unexpected ejection before even throwing a single pitch in the game against the Cubs on Sunday night at Wrigley Field. Umpires promptly checked Diaz’s hands for any illegal substances at the start of the ninth inning with the Mets holding a 5-2 lead.

During the routine inspection, umpire Brian Walsh raised concerns about Diaz’s hands, leading to a thorough examination by the umpiring crew. Following a brief discussion, Diaz was unanimously ejected from the game, as his hands displayed a significant amount of foreign substance, as captured on camera.

Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza briefly contested the decision but Diaz had to exit the game, putting him in a challenging position due to the automatic 10-game suspension for violating the sticky stuff rule. Diaz has the option to appeal the suspension, but for the time being, relief pitcher Drew Smith took over on the mound.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, the Mets successfully held onto their lead against the Cubs, securing their ninth victory in the last eleven games. This incident marks Diaz as the third Mets pitcher to face ejection for violating the league’s rules on foreign substances, following the footsteps of Max Scherzer and Smith.

The ejection comes at a crucial time for Diaz, who had been showing signs of improvement after a rough start to the 2024 season, which included losing his closer role and a stint on the injured list. Upon his return, Diaz had been performing well with three consecutive scoreless appearances.

Moving forward, Diaz and the Mets will have to navigate the aftermath of the ejection and suspension as they continue their season in pursuit of success. The incident serves as a reminder of the strict enforcement of MLB rules and the consequences of violating them, shaping the dynamics of the game and player conduct on the field.