Santiago's appeal expected to be heard soon

SEATTLE -- The Mariners anticipate that next week Major League Baseball will hear Héctor Santiago’s appeal of a suspension for allegedly using an illegal substance while pitching, manager Scott Servais said before Saturday’s game against the Rangers.

The meeting will be in conjunction with the league, club officials and the MLB Players Association, and the Mariners anticipate that the appeal will take place after Monday’s off-day, but before the All-Star break begins on July 12.

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The left-hander has been allowed to remain with the club until that process concludes, and he played in his first game since being sanctioned last weekend in an extra-innings win on Friday, throwing a critical 1-2-3 eighth inning. Before taking the hill, he gestured his protest of the 10-game suspension levied on Tuesday by removing the rosin bag from the mound and placing it in the home dugout, which umpires told him was not allowed.

Santiago also had his glove thoroughly inspected by crew chief Adrian Johnson’s staff upon entering and exiting his outing. And he was informed that the shade of his glove, which the umpires cited as gray, per Servais, was not permitted.

Santiago’s primary glove, which has a far lighter hue, was confiscated by MLB after he was ejected on Sunday against the White Sox, when he became the first pitcher to be removed for the use of an illegal substance since the league began cracking down on the matter on June 15.

Santiago and the Mariners maintain that the substance in question was the byproduct of legal rosin creating a sticky moisture when mixed with his sweat on an 85 degree day with 90 percent humidity in Chicago.

“It’s just the world we live in right now, with everything, the heightened awareness, players getting checked,” Servais said. “We feel that we have been wronged by what has happened with Héctor. I think Héctor is dealing with it very appropriately. I did not have an issue last night of him escorting the rosin bag off of the mound, so there was not going to be any questions there. I thought he was very professional. And the highlight for me is he pitched really good.”

Indeed, Santiago has been a versatile weapon since joining Seattle on May 27, compiling a 2.50 ERA and being deployed in a variety of ways. He’s been used as a starter in a pinch, as he was Sunday before being ejected, taking over for a suspended game the day prior, or in high-leverage moments, such as Friday.

That versatility is largely why the Mariners signed him days before the regular season despite Santiago not pitching with any big league club in Spring Training. After all, last year, Santiago filled out a résumé highlighting his wide-ranging ability and accomplishments and sent it to all 30 clubs seeking an opportunity.

If his suspension is upheld, the Mariners will not be able to replace him on their 26-man roster.