VIDEO: Yankees' Michael Pineda ejected for having pine tar on neck
Michael Pineda's Wednesday night start against the Red Sox didn't last long. The culprit? Pine tar. Again.
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Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda was ejected from his Wednesday night start against the Red Sox in the second inning for having pine tar -- an illegal substance -- on his neck. He was replaced by David Phelps.
Let's roll tape ...
(GIF via @CorkGaines)
You'll recall that during his last start against the Red Sox, Pineda rather obviously had pine tar applied to his pitching hand. The Red Sox didn't call the matter to the umpire's attention last time, but this time, well, conspicuous of pine tar in back-to-back starts against an opponent has consequences, it would seem.
MLB rules call for an ejection and a suspension for a pitcher's use of a foreign substance on the ball. In 2012, Joel Peralta of the Rays was suspended eight games for having pine tar on his glove. After the game -- a Yankees loss -- GM Brian Cashman says he indeed expects Pineda to be suspended.
As for aftermatch quotes, here's Cashman ...
Brian Cashman: "This is not something that we are proud to be sitting in. We are certainly embarrassed. We as an org. are responsible"
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 24, 2014
Here's Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild ...
Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild on pineda: "im not sure he understood what the penalties were even though i had explained it to him."
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) April 24, 2014
Here's manager Joe Girardi ...
"It’s a young kid. I don’t think he’s trying to do anything to cheat. I think he’s trying to just go out there and compete."--Girardi
— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) April 24, 2014
And finally ...
Pineda: “I apologize to my teammates and everybody. I feel so sad. … I know I make a mistake."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) April 24, 2014
Developing!
