Bryant all for pitcher crackdown: Hitters were 'stupid' to excuse substances

Count Kris Bryant among the supporters of MLB's decision to crack down on pitchers using foreign substances.

The Chicago Cubs third baseman said Tuesday he is "all for" the league's new policy of checking hurlers for banned substances during games, according to Maddie Lee of NBC Chicago.

The former MVP even criticized his fellow hitters for their role in allowing it.

"At first, we were so stupid as hitters, saying, 'Oh, it's for control, we just don't want them to hit us.' And that was such a cop-out," Bryant said, according to Lee.

MLB umpires began conducting in-game substance checks Monday. Though no pitcher has been ejected for violating rules, Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer and Oakland Athletics reliever Sergio Romo have been visibly upset by the inspections.

Scherzer rebuked commissioner Rob Manfred for invoking the new system, saying Tuesday it is "not the answer."