Mariners' Hector Santiago Suspended 10 Games for Having Foreign Substance on Glove

Two days after being the first pitcher ejected under Major League Baseball's policy of routine checks for foreign substances during games, Seattle Mariners reliever Hector Santiago has officially received his mandatory suspension. 

MLB announced Santiago's 10-day suspension on Tuesday but noted he won't begin serving it immediately because he filed an appeal:

Santiago came on in relief of Logan Gilbert in the third inning of the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday.

After tossing 2.1 innings, the umpires came out to check Santiago's glove. They determined there was some sort of foreign substance on the mitt, leading to him being tossed from the game. 

"[Umpire Phil Cuzzi] said he felt some sticky stuff on the inside of the glove," Santiago told reporters after Seattle's 3-2 win. "All I used was rosin. I used it on both sides, trying to keep that sweat from dripping down to the hands."

Crew chief Tom Hallion told reporters that Santiago was suspected of having "a foreign substance that was sticky on the inside palm of his glove." and it was "very noticeable."

Per the official rules guidance issued by MLB outlining the policy, "any pitcher who possesses or applies foreign substances in violation of the rules will be ejected from the game and automatically suspended in accordance with the rules and past precedent."

Santiago is in his first season with the Mariners after signing a minor-league deal with the club in May. He was added to the 26-man roster on May 27. 

The 33-year-old has a 2.65 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 13 hits allowed in 17 innings across nine games in 2021.