San Diego Padres Pitcher Slapped With 10 Game Suspension

32-year-old reliever for the San Diego Padres, Robert Suarez, has been slapped with a 10-game suspension by MLB following a violation related to the use of sticky substances on the mound.

The incident unfolded during a game against the Miami Marlins, during which Suarez was ejected by crew chief Todd Tichenor after an inspection revealed an excessive amount of sticky material on his left wrist and glove.

Despite his claim that the substance was simply sunblock, the suspension will force him to miss several upcoming games, posing a challenge for the Padres.

Robert Suarez just got ejected after a substance check by the umpires 😬

(via @BallySportsFL)pic.twitter.com/QVIrRPExXc

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 23, 2023

Suarez, who had returned to play in mid-July after dealing with elbow issues, has played a decent role in the Padres' bullpen strategy, maintaining a 4.73 ERA.

His absence will require the team to adjust their pitching lineup. Padres manager Bob Melvin has expressed confidence in the team's depth, acknowledging Suarez's importance while also highlighting the ability of other pitchers to step up.

San Diego #Padres reliever Robert Suarez gets his automatic 10-game suspension today for using a foreign substance. He's appealing, saying it was only sunscreen.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 25, 2023

The suspension comes on the heels of Suarez's five-year, $46 million contract signing in the offseason, which followed an impressive performance in the previous year's postseason.

Meanwhile, the Padres have several alternative pitchers, including Tom Cosgrove, Scott Barlow, Steven Wilson, and Nick Martinez, who could potentially fill the void during Suarez's suspension. Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports