Debate emerges on whether sticky substances are affecting pitches

Major League Baseball might have a substance-abuse problem. But this one doesn't involve illicit drugs, rather an unnamed sticky concoction.

Pitchers allegedly using a goo to gain a better grip and thus higher spin rate has become a hot topic in recent days, sparked from an incident at Wednesday's St. Louis Cardinals game. Umpire Joe West made Cardinals reliever Giovanny Gallegos change his cap after suspecting the pitcher was hiding some substance on it, and Cardinals manager Mike Shildt turned argued the call enough for West to toss him from the dugout.

Shildt shared his thoughts after the game about "baseball's dirty little secret," adding he felt the public condemnation of his pitcher was uncalled for, especially considering he believes there are more flagrant transgressions that go unchecked.

Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson added his voice to the chorus of opinions, tweeting he has "an entire catalog of video of these guys cheating" that's "coming out."

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he's not surprised more players and coaches are outspoken about the issue.

"I bet almost every pitcher in this game uses something to get a better grip on the ball," Baldelli said, adding he believes everyone in the game is aligned with pitchers being able to gain better control and feel of the balls, which are usually quite slick. "… You would have to rub that ball up sufficiently and hopefully get a little sweat on it and hopefully get a little feel for it and probably put a little rosin on it and sunscreen. … What goes on beyond that is the part that has caused all of the discussion, and rightfully so. It's not the easiest thing for Major League Baseball to regulate and police and have a plan for and execute, but I think it's certainly a worthy conversation for us to continue."

MLB sent a preseason memo to teams addressing increased vigilance for such activity as well as a plan to test game balls to figure out what substances are in use. A league spokesman confirmed that data collection is ongoing, along with analyzing pitch spin rates.

MLB's composite batting average is down nine points this season while spin rates have spiked in recent years. But this is by no means a new development. Twins pitcher Michael Pineda drew a 10-game suspension in 2014 with the Yankees for using pine tar.

Twins veteran Nelson Cruz said he couldn't say for sure if these foreign concoctions are to blame for the 2021 stats.

"I know most of the league's using it," Cruz said of the substances. "… I cannot say that's the reason why pitches are better. … The machines and all the electronics tell you what should be the right mechanics, throw the ball harder to get a better spin. So that also can be a factor."

Outfielder Max Kepler was not in the lineup Friday. He is still dealing with a hamstring injury.

"He's still being held back by this hamstring, so we're getting him out there in a selective fashion while we can," Baldelli said. "There's been conversations, and we have to figure out, if him eventually needing to take a break and just letting this thing heal is maybe the right thing to do."

It hasn't come to that yet, possibly because center fielder Byron Buxton still hasn't started a rehab stint for his return from a hip injury.

Cruz, who hit third Friday, offered insight into his wrist injury from the May 20 doubleheader in Anaheim, incurred when a pitch hit him.

"It feels almost normal now. Even the day I got hit, I told them I was able to play the second game of the doubleheader," Cruz said. "The flight was the one that messed everyone up. To be in the plane for almost five hours created a lot of inflammation, especially after getting hit. And then from there I started getting nagging in my fingers and the wrist where I got hit."

Starter Kenta Maeda, on the 10-day injured list with a groin strain, threw a light bullpen session Friday. Baldelli said Maeda could return after the 10 days or up to two weeks, though he'll need another more ramped-up throwing session before that happens.