Astros pitcher suspended 10 games after using ‘stickiest glove ever’, according to Ump

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco underwent the dreaded “glove inspection” on Tuesday night and was ejected from the game because an illegal sticky substance was found on his glove.

There were plenty of “cheating Astros” jokes, but the story was a real disappointment for Blanco – the unlikely Houston ace who pitched the season’s first no-hitter that year.

Even as the fifth man in the Astros’ rotation, Blanco overcame enormous odds and made baseball history. A month later, Blanco will be hit with a 10-game suspension, the MLB announced Wednesday.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – MAY 14: Ronel Blanco #56 of the Houston Astros reacts after pitching in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on May 14, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Although Blanco went four innings against the Oakland A’s, he was suspected of using an illegal substance to improve his control of the pitch. First base umpire Erich Bacchus criticized Blanco after the game for his sticky glove.

“It was the stickiest stuff I’ve ever felt on a glove since we’ve been doing this for a few years,” the referee said.

READ: MLB is cracking down on sticky substances in the 2023 season

Pitchers are allowed to use the rosin bag on the mound to improve ball grip, but the league has become increasingly wary in recent years.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – MAY 14: Ronel Blanco #56 is led off the field by Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros after being ejected in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on May 14, 2024 in Houston, Texas . (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Blanco’s path to the big leagues made him an unexpected sensation when he debuted in the league at the age of 28, accomplishing the feat in just his eighth professional start. He threw 105 pitches in nine innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, fanning seven batters, walking two and keeping the Blue Jays on their toes in hits.

After rules were introduced requiring umpires to check a pitcher’s glove, ejections and suspensions began to threaten.

“There is nothing arbitrary about the enforcement,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred previously said of the new glove checks.

“The referees are all uniformly trained on how to use rosin on the mound in the manner permitted by the rules, what it feels like and what it feels like to do something illegal, either in combination with rubbing alcohol or.” Sunscreen or another sticky substance.

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