Michael Pineda will pay the price for getting caught red handed. MLB just announced that the 25-year-old righty will be suspended 10 games for using pine tar in his start last night against the Red Sox. He originally drew attention to himself back on April 10 when cameras noticed a substance on his hand in a start in New York against Boston.
The suspension was inevitable; it was just a matter of deciding how long it should be. The most recent suspension for using a foreign substance was given to Rays pitcher Joel Peralta, who sat out for eight games in 2012.
The incident has sparked conversation on social media and sports talk radio around the country. What’s legal and what is illegal? How can something be a rule if it’s widely accepted throughout the league as long as the use of a substance is discreet? Hopefully Pineda’s blunder will spark conversation with MLB, who should take a long, hard look at the rule. Regardless, Pineda will now learn his lesson the hard way.
With the off day on Monday, the Yankees will technically only need an extra starter just once.
Post has learned that Pineda was suspended 10 games #Yankees
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) April 24, 2014
