Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith fails substance check, ejected vs. Yankees

New York Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith was ejected from Tuesday night's game against the Yankees after umpires determined he had an illegal sticky substance on his hand.

As teammate Max Scherzer did when he was caught and suspended in April, Smith maintained the stickiness was only a mixture of rosin and sweat.

However, Smith didn't even have an opportunity to remedy the situation. He was stopped by the umpiring crew on his way in from the bullpen in the top of the seventh inning -- and after an inspection, he was immediately ejected.

"I think if something’s sticky, it’s illegal," crew chief Bill Miller said. "They cannot manipulate the rosin. They can't use foreign substance. I don't know what was on his hand. But his hand was sticky to the touch, where my hand stuck to his hand."

As a result of his ejection, Smith faces an automatic 10-game suspension.

"I was really surprised because I haven't done anything different all year," Smith said. "I use sweat and rosin. I don't know what else to say. Nothing changed. I just think the process is so arbitrary. It can change from one crew to the other."

Smith said he hasn't decided whether he'll appeal the suspension, but he plans to discuss the issue with the MLB Players Association.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith ejected for sticky substance