Mets' Drew Smith ejected after failing sticky check without throwing pitch

New York Mets right-hander Drew Smith was ejected from Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees without throwing a pitch after failing his sticky-substance check while taking the mound to start the seventh inning.

He'll be in line to receive an automatic 10-game suspension as a result.

"Really surprised because I haven't done anything different all year," Smith said postgame about the ejection. "Sweat and rosin. I don't know what else to say. Nothing changed. I think the process is so arbitrary; it can change from one (umpiring) crew to another, and I think that's the main issue."

Smith added that he'll speak with the players' union before deciding whether to appeal the punishment.

Smith becomes the third pitcher and the second Mets hurler this year to get tossed after failing the routine check from umpires, joining teammate Max Scherzer and Yankees starter Domingo German. Both pitchers accepted their 10-game suspensions.

"I think we're all angry about this one," Scherzer said, according to SNY. "You feel his hand, you don't feel anything. ... He's been cleared by every other umpire, and now all of a sudden, he's getting thrown out."

The 29-year-old was summoned to maintain a one-run deficit, with the Mets trailing their crosstown rivals 7-6 at the time. Instead, manager Buck Showalter had to turn to right-hander John Curtiss.