Just as we saw with the Milwaukee Brewers' Will Smith last week, Major League Baseball has suspended Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz for eight games because of a foreign substance found on his arm during Saturday's game with the Miami Marlins. Also just as with Smith, Matusz will appeal the suspension, thereby giving himself the opportunity to defend his actions as unintentional.
MLB.com's Connor Smolensky reports that the Orioles do not yet know when the appeal will occur, but the filing allows Matusz to continue pitching rather than immediately serve his suspension. Smith has the same allowance. In Smith's case, the substances were rosin and sunscreen; so far, MLB has not disclosed what Matusz had on his arm.
Matusz was pitching in the bottom of the 12th inning Saturday, and after he got the second out, Marlins manager Dan Jennings asked umpires to check Matusz's arm as Matusz rubbed his pitching hand on it multiple times during the inning.
Smolensky quoted Orioles manager Buck Showalter discussing the penalty and the fairness involved with the decision. Said Showalter,
"They are basing it off precedent, and each case is different. That's why you have the appeal process, to make sure it's not just some blanket punishment. Each case is different. You have to start somewhere and work from there.... It's one of those things that publicly you are always going to be supportive of your players. Privately, you are always trying to make people aware of the ramifications of their actions."
Arguments of what the rule should say can and do ensue. However, a foreign substance on the ball is a certain rules violation. Rule 8.02 of the official rules reads as follows:
"8.02
The pitcher shall not -- (4) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;
PENALTY: For violation of any part of Rules 8.02(a)(2) through (6)
(a) the pitcher shall be ejected immediately from the game and shall be suspended automatically.
(e) The umpire shall be sole judge on whether any portion of this rule has been violated."
The substance was on Matusz's arm, and in the judgment of the umpires, was used to alter the ball.
Both Smith and Matusz will have a chance to appeal and demonstrate that they did not intend to alter the ball. If successful, then they could have their suspensions reduced or eliminated. Smith has appealed but has not yet received a decision according to Smolensky's report.