Mets Star Closer Edwin Diaz Busted Using 'Excessive' Sticky Stuff, Booted From Primetime Game Against Cubs

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz was busted and ejected from Sunday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs after an umpire checked his hand and found excessive sticky stuff on Diaz’s hand, ending his night before it started.

Diaz didn't make a single pitch before getting the boot, and the Mets had a rough close to cap a reasonably comfortable win over the Chicago Cubs, 5-2.

Footage from the ESPN broadcast showed up-close shots of Diaz's right hand. Diaz's hand had gray scuff marks on his hand, which umps quickly picked out before Diaz could start the ninth.

Diaz faces a 10-game suspension, announced by ESPN's Jeff Passan, as a result of his ejection for using a ‘foreign’ substance. A batch of pitchers received suspensions last year for using sticky substances — an MLB guideline since 2021. 

After the game, Diaz said he was stunned by the ejection. He said the gray material was a mixture of rosin and dirt. 

"I understood, but the other day, I was using rosin, sweat, and I put my hand in the dirt.  … I was really surprised because I didn't have anything on my hand or glove … " 

Edwin said the team had two bags of rosin on the mound, and he maintained his innocence.

Diaz’s boot forced Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza to go to his bullpen again, calling reliever Drew Smith to the bump.

Smith didn’t last long in Edwin’s place, suffering some discomfort with two outs in the ninth.

James Diekman stepped in for the final out and completed the Mets’ win over the Cubs.

"It was a very long inning," Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said after the game on ESPN’s broadcast.

New York won its fourth consecutive series and improved to 13-6 in June to place itself in the tight NL Wild Card race.

The Mets are going to need extra Grimace Magic in Diaz's 10-game absence. 

Edwin Díaz ejected for excessive stickiness during Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

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