Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Petco Park. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw: Managers should be punished for failed pitcher checks

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/23/21

Clayton Kershaw essentially backed Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer with his recent comments about checking pitchers for foreign substances.

The Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander said he believes managers should be reprimanded for requesting umpire checks that fail to find foreign substances on pitchers.

"You know how Girardi called Scherzer out? I think there should be a punishment if they don't catch anything on the guy," Kershaw said. "I think Scherzer, you know, he's one of the best pitchers of our generation, and to see him get checked, I think it was a first and third situation or guys on base, and mess up his rhythm.

"I think he ended getting out of it but you better find something if you're going to call him out like that."

pic.twitter.com/sC3aSnT2dF
— MLB Foreign Substance Checks (@StickyCheck) June 23, 2021

His comments come after Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi asked for umpires to check Scherzer in the middle of an inning during Tuesday's game and was later ejected for yelling toward the Nationals dugout.

Scherzer was checked for foreign substances multiple times during Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Phillies. At one point, he became incensed and appeared ready to take off his pants during one of the checks.

This is incredible.

Joe Girardi asked the umpires to check Max Scherzer for sticky stuff again.

Scherzer’s reaction:

pic.twitter.com/rHHWU6KIzV
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 23, 2021

After the game, Scherzer blasted Major League Baseball for its substance enforcement and blamed commissioner Rob Manfred for the excessive nature of the sticky substance checks.

MLB began enforcing the foreign substance rules earlier this week to eliminate the use of sticky substances. Several pitchers have already expressed frustration about the way the league is handling the situation. Tampa Bay Rays ace Tyler Glasnow even went as far as to blame his UCL injury on the new foreign substance policy.

More must-reads: