This is the new reality for Cole and MLB pitchers after the league’s memo on Tuesday detailed how they will crack down on sticky substances used to give pitchers a better grip — and greater spin rates.
“I would encourage the commissioner’s office to continue to talk with us, please, because we’re the ones that throw the ball.
MLB announced on Tuesday that it will eject and suspend pitchers caught with any foreign substances for 10 days with pay.
Cole said he had talked privately to Tyler Glasnow, who said that being unable to use the sunscreen and rosin mixture he and other pitchers have used for decades contributed to his injury.
And I talked to him privately, and I’ll keep most of the details of that private.
The Twins slugger implied that Cole had seen a significant drop in the rotations per minute on his fastball after word spread that MLB had suspended four minor leaguers for using sticky stuff.
For Pete’s sake, it’s part of the reason why almost every player on the field has had something, regardless if they are a pitcher or not, to help them control the ball.
Under scrutiny with MLB’s sudden crackdown on illegal sticky stuff, Cole has not been his dominant self in his last three starts.
After striking out four, walking one and giving up two home runs Wednesday night, Cole admitted that pitchers across the league are learning to adapt.