Mets closer Edwin Diaz suspended 10 games for foreign substance

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz has been suspended 10 games and fined an undisclosed amount after violating prohibitions on foreign substances, Major League Baseball announced Monday.

The suspension will begin Tuesday, when the Mets are set to host the New York Yankees at Citi Field, unless he appeals the discipline.

Diaz was ejected before he took the mound in the ninth inning of the Mets' 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night by crew chief Vic Carapazza after a sticky, discolored substance was found on Diaz's hand.

Diaz told reporters he uses only rosin, sweat and dirt on his hands.

"I use the same thing, always," he said. "I rub rosin, sweat and I put my hand in the dirt a little bit so I can have some grip on the ball. ... I was really surprised because I didn't have anything on my hand, glove or belt. They always check everything."

Diaz, a two-time All-Star, has struggled this season, with just seven saves and a 4.70 ERA. He missed all of last season with a knee injury suffered while celebrating a Puerto Rico win in the World Baseball Classic and spent about two weeks on the injured list this season with a shoulder issue before being reinstated June 13.

ESPN's Jesse Rogers contributed to this report.