Mets' Buck Showalter discusses Drew Smith ejection, suspension

New York Mets manager Buck Showalter acknowledged Wednesday the ongoing situation involving relief pitcher Drew Smith somewhat resembles what happened regarding co-ace Max Scherzer back in April.

"It has a lot of similarities," Showalter told reporters before Wednesday's home game against the New York Yankees, per Tim Crowley of SNY. "It changes some things that you have to do out of the bullpen. It puts an added need on people to pitch." 

Crew chief Bill Miller ejected Smith before the 29-year-old took the mound for the seventh inning of what became Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Yankees because the reliever's hands were deemed too sticky. While Smith insisted after the defeat he used only sweat and league-approved rosin and claimed an MLB official said "there was nothing" on his hands, the league nevertheless suspended the righty for 10 games and gave him an undisclosed fine. 

Anthony DiComo of the MLB website noted Smith did not appeal the suspension. Assuming the schedule remains unaltered, Smith will be eligible to return on June 26 against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets cannot fill Smith's roster spot during the suspension. 

"I tend to believe people," Showalter continued. "I tend to believe Drew and I tend to believe Bill [Miller]. It’s tough to take the emotion out of it and look at things logically. They’re trying to be consistent. I think we all understand what they’re trying to accomplish. There’s something to be said for randomness too. There’s different circumstances because of them." 

A similar "sweat and rosin" defense didn't prevent Scherzer from serving a suspension after he was tossed from a start at the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 19. As Ryan Chichester shared for Audacy, two Triple-A Syracuse Mets pitchers were thrown out of games last month for alleged "sticky-stuff" violations. 

"Four of the five in baseball have been Mets with two in Triple-A," Showalter added about ejections related to the use of foreign substances. "I can do that math. One of the questions I asked is why I shouldn’t feel that way. You take each case. I don’t try to get into those conspiracy theories. I do look in the mirror and say, 'Are we doing something wrong that we need to fix?' That’s where I start with it." 

Smith said Tuesday night he hasn't "done anything different all year" compared to what earned him his 10-game ban. Whatever the Mets are and/or aren't doing, it appears changes are necessary and that umpires believe they have reasons to thoroughly examine New York pitchers this season.