Tampa Bay Rays reliever Joel Peralta has his glove checked and removed by home plate umpire Tim Tschida in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Peralta did not remain in the game and never threw a pitch.
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joel Peralta has been suspended eight games for possessing a foreign substance on his glove during Tuesday's game against the Washington Nationals.
Peralta was ejected from the game when he entered in the bottom of the eighth inning. Nationals manager Davey Johnson alerted umpire Tim Tschida to something illegal in Peralta's glove. The umpires convened and ruled that Peralta had a foreign substance in his glove, which turned out to be pine tar.
Related Story: Former MLB player: 75% of pitchers use pine tar
Since Peralta has elected to file an appeal, the discipline issued to him will be held in abeyance until the appeal process is complete.
Peralta, who has specialized in pitching the 8th inning the past two seasons, is currently 0-2 with a 3.72 ERA, 2 saves in 35 appearances.
The Sports Network