Mets player Edwin Diaz suspended for 10 games for violating liability rules

Edwin Diaz was penalized on Monday, potentially leaving the Mets shorthanded for the next 10 games.

A day after he was ejected following an umpires’ investigation for violating MLB’s foreign substance rules, Diaz was suspended for 10 games by Michael Hill, the league’s senior vice president of on-field operations.

The Mets closer was ejected before throwing a pitch in the ninth inning against the Cubs because he had a sticky substance on his right hand.

Diaz said it was a mixture of rosin, sweat and dirt – a combination he uses routinely.

Diaz can appeal the penalty, but if he does not, the suspension will take effect starting with Tuesday’s game against the Yankees at Citi Field.

If Diaz appeals, any punishment would not begin until the trial is completed.

The Mets could sign Reed Garrett to fill Diaz’s closer role. Garrett, like many of his Mets teammates, had a rough May.

But just now, when the question arises as to whether the experienced reliever will fall back to the middle level after a dominant start to the season or is just overcoming a weak form, the right-hander reacted positively.

After a shaky May in which he had two blown saves and was the losing pitcher in two other games, Garrett posted a 2.35 ERA in seven appearances in June.

Garrett has been a reliable option in the lineup since Diaz returned from the injured list on June 13, and finding someone to fill his role may be a bigger challenge than filling the closer spot.

Dedniel Nunez, Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith, Jake Diekman, Danny Young and Adrian Houser are the other bullpen components.

Nunez was the best pitcher in this group, but allowed two earned runs in the seventh inning against the Cubs on Sunday.

Another reliable right-hander, Sean Reid-Foley, was placed on the injured list over the weekend due to a right shoulder strain.

JD Martinez will be playing in the Subway Series for the first time, but said the New York theme of the next two games is not that important to him.

Martinez played for the Red Sox from 2018 to 2022 and was bombarded with numerous questions about the game against the Yankees.

“I don’t think anything of it,” Martinez said. “They always did that to me in the Yankees-Red Sox series. I think to myself, ‘Who’s throwing and what is he throwing?’ That’s all I care about.”

The Mets have activated Luis Torrens from the paternity list. Joe Hudson, who spent the weekend as the team’s backup catcher, has been designated for assignment.