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Drew Smith, the pitcher for the New York Mets, was ejected on Tuesday for allegedly using a sticky substance on his hands. As a result, he was given a 10-game suspension.

The decision was made public by MLB’s Senior Vice President of On-Field Operations, Michael Hill, and comes with an unknown fine for breaking the rules on prohibited substances.

Although athletes are allowed to apply rosin and sweat to their hands, excessive use of either ingredient is prohibited in Major League Baseball and can result in dismissal.

Smith told reporters after the game that he had used the same amount of rosin he usually does and has experienced no other issues so far this season.

“My hands weren’t sticky,” Smith said. “The process is so arbitrary. It can change from one crew to the other. I think that’s the main issue. It just sucks for the team not having a guy for 10 days.”

In 2021, MLB introduced a new rule that meant players ejected due to sticky substances can be suspended for 10 days.

Smith’s Mets teammate Max Scherzer was ejected for the same reason earlier this season.

“We’re all angry about this one,” Scherzer told reporters after the game. “If you feel his hand, you don’t feel anything.”

Smith was stopped for a routine check in the seventh innings of the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the New York Yankees on Tuesday, before having his hands checked by all four umpires.

According to MLB.com, crew chief Bill Miller told reporters: “I don’t know what it [the substance] was, I just know it was sticky.”

The Mets will not be able to replace Smith for the 10-game stretch, according to MLB rules.