The sooner the better.
Rather than appeal his sticky substance case, Edwin Diaz chose to begin serving a 10-game suspension Tuesday, according to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, to bring resolution to the matter.
The Mets closer was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Cubs for violating MLB rules on foreign substances following an examination of his right hand by umpires before he threw a pitch. The ejection carried a 10-game suspension, and Diaz would have likely been fighting a losing battle in an appeal to MLB officials.
“We don’t want this cloud to be hanging over the team for too long,” Mendoza said. “He talked to his people and we thought it was best to just move forward, get it over with and then move on from it.”
Diaz was unavailable for comment before the Mets’ 9-7 win in the Subway Series opener at Citi Field. A team spokesman said Diaz will speak to reporters on Wednesday.
Max Scherzer had vowed to appeal a similar suspension with the Mets last season before deciding against it when he realized his case would be heard by MLB officials and not an independent arbitrator.
Diaz’s suspension left the Mets one short on the roster for the next 10 games.
If there isn’t a postponement beforehand, Diaz will be eligible to return for the Mets’ game in Pittsburgh on July 6.
Tuesday, the combination of Adam Ottavino, Danny Young and Reed Garrett put a 9-1 lead in jeopardy, giving up six runs in the late innings, including five in the eighth.
The lead already shaved to 9-3 against Ottavino and Young, Garrett entered with the bases loaded in the eighth and gave up a grand slam to Aaron Judge.
But Garrett recovered for a three-up, three-down ninth to finish the game.
During his ban, Diaz counts toward the 13-pitcher maximum — meaning the Mets can’t option a position player to fill his spot in the bullpen.
Before Tuesday’s win the Mets filled the roster vacancy created by Starling Marte’s placement on the injured list with a bone bruise in his right knee by selecting outfielder Ben Gamel from Triple-A Syracuse.
Following his ejection, Diaz said the sticky substance on his right hand was nothing more than the usual mixture of rosin, sweat and dirt he employs.
But umpiring crew chief Vic Carapazza said in his judgment the substance was something other than those cited by Diaz.
Mendoza said he stood by Diaz’s claim and the Mets will work to ensure they avoid further transgressions. Drew Smith was also suspended last year for a sticky substance rules violation. Just six pitchers have been ejected for breaking the rule over the past two seasons and the Mets were the violators three times.
“As far as doing anything different, from Day 1 we have been very specific and very direct,” Mendoza said, referring to the messaging to pitchers. “You hate to see it. I’m not going to get into the details of what we’re going to be doing moving forward, but the rules are the rules. Talking to Edwin, I have got his back. I truly believe what he was telling us.”
The Mets will “mix and match” in the closer’s role during Diaz’s suspension, according to Mendoza. The right-hander had three scoreless appearances (with two saves) following his return from the injured list with a right shoulder impingement. Before the IL stint Diaz was struggling, with four blown saves in May.
Garrett previously spent time in the closer’s role with Diaz sidelined. The team has also received a spark from rookie Dedniel Nunez in the late innings. He gave up one run in 2 ²/₃ innings Tuesday.
Ottavino has closing experience, but has been moved to lower-leverage situations as he looks to emerge from a recent swoon, which continued Tuesday. He gave up a single and a walk while recording one out. Both his runners later scored against Young.
Drew Smith, who got two outs in the ninth inning Sunday after Diaz’s ejection — he was then removed out of fears that he hadn’t warmed up properly — can also serve in the closer’s role.