Diamondbacks pitcher Caleb Smith was ejected and his glove confiscated on suspicion of using a foreign substance in Wednesday night's game against the Phillies in Arizona.
The lefty swing man was tossed after the top half of the eighth inning, when his glove was inspected by third-base umpire Phil Cuzzi, who also conferred with the other umpires after he apparently discovered what Arizona manager Torey Lovullo later said they determined to be "a couple of suspicious spots, in their opinion," on the glove.
Smith was checked at least one other time during his appearance, after the sixth inning, apparently without incident, ESPN reported.
The 30-year-old left-hander strongly objected during his ejection, and had to be restrained from a second confrontation with the umpires after he initially made his way toward the home dugout.
The glove was bagged and was expected to be sent to New York for analysis, as per the procedures laid out in MLB's new substance check policies, which were implemented this season in response to the reported widespread use of so-called "sticky stuff" among pitchers looking for better grip and spin on their pitches.
Smith entered the game in the top of the sixth, logging 2 2/3 innings in relief of Arizona starter Humberto Castellanos. He allowed one earned run in his outing, on a solo homer by Philadelphia's Odubel Herrera in the eighth.
After the game, Smith said the spots on his glove were merely dirt, and said he had not cheated.
"All I know is I've got to break in a new glove," Smith said. "It's the only one I had."
Lovullo stood up for his pitcher.
"I believe my player," he said. "I stand by my player. He said there was nothing malicious happening."
A first-time suspension for using foreign substances would result in 10-game ban, under the new rule. Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago is the only pitcher to have been suspended under the policy so far.
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