Houston Astros’ pitcher Ronel Blanco has been suspended for 10 games after violating Major League Baseball’s foreign substance policy. The suspension came after Blanco was ejected during a game against the Oakland Athletics when umpires discovered a foreign substance on his glove.
The announcement of Blanco’s suspension was made by MLB’s senior vice president of on-field operations, Michael Hill. Blanco, however, denies using an illegal substance, suggesting that it was likely rosin that he had put on his arm and had unintentionally gotten into his glove due to sweat.
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada supported Blanco’s claim, stating that he saw “white powder” inside Blanco’s glove, which he believed to be rosin. Blanco had a strong start to the season, throwing a no-hitter in his debut game. However, his season has now been put on hold following the glove-check ejection and subsequent suspension.
The use of foreign substances by pitchers has been a hot topic in baseball recently, with MLB cracking down on the practice to ensure a level playing field for all teams. Blanco’s suspension serves as a reminder to players about the consequences of violating the league’s rules and regulations.
Blanco’s absence will be felt by the Astros as they navigate the remainder of the season without one of their key pitchers. It remains to be seen how Blanco’s suspension will impact the team’s performance moving forward.
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