STICKY SUBSTANCE CHECKS TO BE INCREASED
Major League Baseball is heightening in-game inspections by umpires for banned grip aides, concerned that use of foreign substances by pitchers increased again as time passed from a crackdown begun in June 2021.
“Unfortunately, spin rates began to rise again during the 2022 season and we received reports of continued use of foreign substances on the field,” MLB Senior Vice President of Onfield Operations Michael Hill wrote Thursday in a memo.
“Umpires have been instructed to increase the frequency and scope of foreign substance checks this year, including randomized checks of fingers (including removal of rings worn on either hand of pitchers), hands, hats, gloves, belts/ waistlines, and pants,” Hill said. “Pitchers may be subject to checks before or after innings in which they pitch, and managers may make inspection requests of a pitcher or position player either before or after an atbat.”
Hill sent the memo to owners, CEOs, team presidents, general managers, field managers and all major and minor league players.
“Umpires also will be focused on suspicious behavior by players that suggests the potential use of foreign substances,” Hill wrote. “For example, if an umpire observes a pitcher attempting to wipe off his hands prior to an inspection, the player may be subject to immediate ejection for violating the rules by attempting to conceal a foreign substance.”
Word of the crackdown emerged from an owners
meeting on June 3, 2021, and heightened checks started that June 21. Four-seam fastballs averaged 2,319 revolutions per minute through that June 2, then dropped to 2,251 for the rest
of the season before rising to 2,276 last year, according to Statcast data. Average velocity of four-seam fastballs increased from 93.7 mph in 2021 to 93.9 mph last year.
Only two pitchers have been suspended for foreign substances since the checks started. Seattle’s Hector Santiago was penalized that June 28 and Arizona’s Caleb Smith that Aug. 24, both for 10 games.
MLB threatened to be harsher with repeat offenders.
“Players who are found to have used a foreign substance following a prior suspension for violating the rule will be subject to more severe, progressive discipline for each subsequent violation,” Hill said.
Hill threatened “severe discipline” for club employees who assist players in using banned grip aides.
Nats’ Cavalli out for season
The start of the season can’t come soon enough for teams looking to keep their pitching staffs as healthy as possible.
A tough spring for pitchers continued Thursday with the announcements that Mets star closer Edwin Díaz and Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli were expected to miss the entire season.
Cavalli, who is just beginning his major league career as one of the Nationals’ brightest prospects, needs Tommy John surgery.
Now he’s hit a roadblock that will delay his progress. Cavalli exited a spring training start against the Mets after 22⁄3 innings on Tuesday.
“While Cade will not pitch in 2023, he continues to be a very important part of our franchise’s future and we look forward to having him back on the mound,” Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said in a statement. “We will provide an update on his surgery when it is available.”