Diaz will begin serving his 10-game foreign substance suspension Tuesday after declining to appeal the ruling, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
While adamant he didn't use anything illegal, Diaz likely stood little chance of winning an appeal, so he'll get the suspension over with now. The closer will be eligible to return July 6. Adam Ottavino, Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett are candidates for save chances while Diaz is unavailable.
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Mets' Edwin Diaz: Handed 10-game suspension
Rotowire
Major League Baseball suspended Diaz for 10 games Monday for violating prohibitions on foreign substances, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Diaz was ejected from Sunday's 5-2 win over the Cubs after failing the "sticky substance" test from the crew chief upon entering the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. The suspension will go into effect beginning with Tuesday's game against the Yankees, and assuming he elects not to appeal the ban, the 30-year-old closer won't be eligible to pitch until July 6 against the Pirates. Adam Ottavino and Reed Garrett will be the likely candidates to step in for save opportunities during Diaz's absence.
Diaz was ejected from Sunday's game against the Cubs for the use of an illegal substance following an inspection from the crew chief, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.
Diaz failed the "sticky substance" check upon entering the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Mets up 5-2. If MLB concurs with the crew chief's assessment, Diaz will receive an automatic 10-game suspension, so the Mets may be without their closer for some time. Expect a decision on a suspension to be announced before the Mets' next game Tuesday versus the Yankees. Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino would likely be first in line for saves should Diaz receive a 10-game ban and choose not to appeal.
Diaz earned the save in Tuesday's 7-6 victory over San Francisco, firing a scoreless inning during which he allowed one hit.
After an RBI double by Pete Alonso provided New York with the lead in the top of the ninth inning, Diaz entered in the bottom of the frame to gather his second save since returning from the injured list June 13. The flamethrowing closer yielded a leadoff single to Jonah Heim before inducing a groundball double play and flyout for his seventh save this season. After struggling with an 8.68 ERA over 9.1 innings in May, Diaz looks healthy again and has regained control of the Mets' closer role.
