In March, Major League Baseball sent two different memos to clubs saying it would intensify the scrutiny and enforcement of rules prohibiting pitchers from applying foreign resources to baseballs.
Less than a week after the start of the season, the league’s last attempt at crackdown is put to the test. And one pitcher who may be more outspoken than anyone on the subject – Dodger’s right-handed Trevor Bauer – is already drawing attention.
The referees in Bauer’s start against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday collected several balls that he threw during the game, according to Major League sources. The balls had visible markings and were sticky, and were sent to the league offices for further inspection, the sources said.