Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco was ejected from a game against the Oakland Athletics after a foreign substance check performed by first-base umpire Erich Bacchus. Bacchus described the substance inside Blanco’s glove as the stickiest he had felt since the checks began a few years ago. Third-base umpire Laz Diaz made the decision to eject Blanco after consulting with the rest of the umpires. Blanco denied using an illegal substance, claiming it was likely rosin he had applied to his left arm that had transferred to his glove due to sweat.
Despite being ejected from the game, Blanco had pitched well, allowing four hits and striking out one batter. The Astros went on to win the game 2-1 in the 10th inning, with Victor Caratini delivering the game-winning RBI single. Major League Baseball implemented a crackdown on foreign substances in 2021 in response to pitchers using them to increase spin rates and reduce offense. Blanco, who had thrown a no-hitter earlier in the season and had a 2.08 ERA, became the sixth pitcher to be ejected for a foreign substance since the crackdown began. He is expected to face a 10-game suspension as a result.
Blanco’s ejection comes as a surprise, given his strong performance for the Astros this season. He had only made 15 starts and 32 appearances in the majors but had been a key contributor to the team’s success. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of pitchers using foreign substances to gain an advantage on the mound, and MLB’s efforts to curb this behavior. Blanco’s denial of using an illegal substance raises questions about the effectiveness of the league’s enforcement measures and the continued presence of sticky substances in the game.
The Astros and manager Joe Espada were involved in discussions with the umpires following Blanco’s ejection, leading to his glove being confiscated for further inspection. Despite Blanco’s denial, the umpires and MLB have taken a strong stance against the use of foreign substances, ejecting pitchers who are found to be in violation of the rules. As the league continues to enforce its policies on foreign substances, players and teams will need to adjust their practices to comply with the regulations and maintain the integrity of the game. Blanco’s ejection serves as a reminder of the consequences that pitchers face for using illegal substances and the ongoing efforts to level the playing field for all teams.
