MLB’s crackdown on pitchers using sticky substances is supposed to be simple. Pitchers are checked randomly throughout the game, and if they are caught with sticky substances, they’re supposed to get ejected right there on the spot.
Umpires haven’t exactly been enforcing the rule as designed, though. We saw that on Thursday.
Twins pitcher Bailey Ober was dealing through three innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was so dominant, in fact, that he struck out six consecutive batters in the second and third innings. But before the fourth inning, umpire C.B. Bucknor didn’t seem satisfied with what he found during a substance check.
Before giving up the lead, umpires made Twins starter Bailey Ober wash his hands. He was perfect through three prior to this pic.twitter.com/HsEeXoTKL2
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 8, 2023
Again, MLB rules call for the pitcher to get ejected and serve a 10-game suspension for sticky substances. But for whatever reason, Ober was given the opportunity to wash his hands and continue in the game. It’s unclear why umpires are allowing this second chance unless they’re simply trying to avoid the inevitable confrontation that comes with ejecting a pitcher. If the substance doesn’t reach an ejection-worthy level, then the pitcher should be allowed to go to the mound. There shouldn’t be a middle ground.
You may remember that Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was furious back in April when Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán was given a similar exception. But he didn’t seem to have an issue with Ober being allowed to wash his hands there.
When Ober returned to the game, he allowed three runs in that fourth inning. While his spin rate was unchanged from the earlier innings, there was a decent drop in velocity. His fastball topped off at 91.6 mph after the substance check and exceeded 93 mph before it.
Fans still had plenty of thoughts about that scene between innings.