Michael Pineda suspended 10 games
— -- BOSTON -- New York Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda has been suspended 10 games by Major League Baseball "for possessing a foreign substance on his person" in Wednesday night's game against the Boston Red Sox.
Pineda said he would not appeal the suspension, which is set to begin Thursday night. He is eligible to return May 5 at the Los Angeles Angels.
"I'll accept it because I know I made a mistake," Pineda said. "That's it."
Pineda was ejected by plate umpire Gerry Davis in the second inning of Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Red Sox after Boston manager John Farrell complained about a smear of something on the right side of Pineda's neck. Pineda later admitted the substance was pine tar, banned for use by pitchers under section 8.02 of the MLB rulebook, but said he was using it merely to improve his grip on the ball in the blustery, 50-degree weather.
"The truth is that I feel [stupid]," he told ESPNDeportes.com. "It was a last-minute decision when I went out in the second inning, and since I was unable to see myself, I did not know how much I had put on until I saw it on video.
"I put it on my neck because it is a part of my body I always touch when I pitch. I knew there would be cameras there, but because it was a last-minute decision, I did not realize the amount I had put on."
Information from ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand, ESPNDeportes.com and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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