Diamondbacks’ Caleb Smith suspended 10 games for foreign substance use

Smith is the second pitcher to be suspended under MLB’s revised foreign substance policy.

Diamondbacks left-hander Caleb Smith is the second pitcher to be suspended under MLB’s more stringent foreign substance policy, the league announced Tuesday. Smith will appeal the decision.

Smith was ejected from an August 18 game against the Phillies after umpire Phil Cuzzi noticed two dark spots on the inside of his glove. Smith was adamant that he wasn’t using a foreign substance, with manager Torey Lovullo saying it was a buildup of dirt. It was the second time Smith had been checked during the game; he was inspected and cleared after the sixth inning but was tossed after an inspection following the eighth.

If Smith has purposely used sticky substances this season, it hasn’t helped much — he has a 5.20 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP, 110 strikeouts, and 56 walks in 97 innings this season.

Smith follows Mariners lefty Hector Santiago as pitchers who have been suspended under MLB’s revised foreign substance policy. If it is upheld as expected following his appeal, the Diamondbacks will have to play shorthanded while he served the suspension.