Pirates pitcher Steven Brault has a message for his peers who are bemoaning MLB's crackdown on foreign substances: stop complaining.
On a recent edition of Chris Rose's Rotation podcast, the five-year vet said the edict doesn't bother him, and shouldn't bother any big league pitcher.
"The number one thing is, I'm surprised it happened midseason," Brault said. "I thought they had wait until after the season. But that's kind of the hot thing in sports right now, especially baseball. They want this to get taken care of as soon as possible. I can't really blame them. If you needed stick to pitch, maybe you're just not good enough."
Archie Bradley and Steven Brault react to MLB's 10 game suspension if pitchers are caught using any foreign substances
— The Chris Rose Rotation (@RoseRotation) June 16, 2021
'If you go out and use this stuff, you are as selfish as it gets now' pic.twitter.com/iuUrH1IX8s
Over the last two weeks, numerous pitchers, including former Pirates Gerrit Cole and Tyler Glasnow, have voiced their opposition to MLB's new rule. Earlier this week, Pittsburgh lefty Tyler Anderson blamed commissioner Rob Manfred for the mess — after he had allowed six runs over six innings.
"I'm sure some guys will have bigger problems than other guys," Anderson told reporters. "I feel like this was just a problem created by Manfred by changing the ball every year."
Last Saturday, right-hander Chad Kuhl said "chalky baseballs" were the reason for his control issues.
It will be interesting to see how Brault's teammates receive his pointed comments. He's currently on the 60-day injured list.
