Rival pitcher says Astros use sticky baseballs

Cleveland right-hander Trevor Bauer believes baseball should allow pitchers to use sticky substances on the ball during games.

The rules that ban pitchers from doing so are rarely enforced, he said Wednesday. He added sticky substances increase movement on the ball and give pitchers an advantage.

Bauer started a Twitter battle Tuesday when he insinuated Houston Astros pitchers are using such substances to increase spin rates. He addressed the issue before Wednesday’s game against Texas.

“I want to make it abundantly clear and not mince words on it,” he said. “I have no problem with any other organization in the league. None. Regarding the Astros, I think they do a great job of player development. I have no accusations against them at all. I’ve never made any. And I’m not accusing them of cheating.”

Bauer had no comment when asked if he has used a substance on the ball.

“We know how it affects spin rate and we know how spin rate affects outcomes and pitches and movements that have a big difference in a game, a season and each individual player’s career,” he said.

Bauer compared the issue to the steroids scandal.

“If you just look the other way and you let some people do it, the people who chose not to do it are at a competitive disadvantage,” he said. “And that’s what’s going on right now.”

Houston manager A.J. Hinch and several Astros pitchers took issue with the Twitter comments. Cleveland plays in Houston May 18-20 and the teams meet again in Cleveland the following weekend.

Earlier this season, Bauer criticized commissioner Rob Manfred’s new pace of play rule that shortens the time pitchers have to warm up between innings.