New York Mets Lose Reliever Smith to 10-Game Suspension

NEW YORK - Crime and punishment.

Major League Baseball has suspended New York Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith for 10-games with an undisclosed fine for using sticky substances.

After being extensively checked prior to the seventh inning, Smith was ejected from the Mets' game against the New York Yankees in the Subway Series on Tuesday night.

According to Smith, the umpiring crew determined that his hands were too sticky, which led to his ejection.

“[I was] really surprised because I haven’t done anything different all year," Smith said after Tuesday's game. "It was sweat and rosin, I don’t know what else to say. Nothing changed and I think the process is so arbitrary. It can change from one crew to the other I think that’s the main issue. It sucks for the team not having a guy for 10 games and being a man down for the roster spot."

The Mets will now not only be without a key reliever for the next 10 games, but they will also be playing a man short as well.

Smith, who chose not to appeal his suspension, will be eligible to return on June 26 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Smith is relied on as one of manager Buck Showalter's main high-leverage relief arms out of the bullpen. In 26 appearances this season, Smith has been up-and-down, posting a 4.18 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. He does, however, have 28 strikeouts in 23.2 innings.

Max Scherzer was also suspended for sticky substances in mid-April and did not appeal. Like Smith, Scherzer said he only used sweat and rosin, nothing illegal.

The Mets are 31-36 on the season after losing to the Yankees on Tuesday night. The team has the highest payroll of all time ($377 million), but have struggled throughout the first 67 games of the year.