MLB building 'foreign substance' reports on pitchers for probe

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

MLB building 'foreign substance scouting reports' on pitchers for investigation

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 6/5/21

Major League Baseball has promised to crack down on pitchers using foreign substances, and it appears it's making actual progress toward doing so.

The league has yet to indicate how it plans to identify and punish any use of foreign substance, but the process going on behind closed doors sounds remarkably thorough. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the league has essentially built scouting reports on pitchers, sometimes based on tips from opponents, noting where the pitcher might be keeping the substance.

Olney also adds that MLB is considering a penalty of 10 days without pay for those who are violating the rules.

One of the really interesting details: MLB has essentially built specific foreign-substance scouting reports on pitchers throughout the sport, using video — some sent in by opposing players. Such as "On his belt, left side." One penalty being discussed: 10 days without pay.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 5, 2021

MLB has insisted that enforcement is coming. Some players are certainly skeptical of this given how long it’s gone on without any repercussions, but this certainly indicates a level of seriousness that has not previously existed.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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