Umpire Dan Bellino holds the glove of Chicago White Sox pitcher Tyler Gilbert before he pitches during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable, left, talks to umpire Dan Bellino who’s holding a glove taken from pitcher Tyler Gilbert during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, left, speaks with umpire Dan Bellino who’s holding a glove taken from Chicago White Sox pitcher Tyler Gilbert during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Chicago White Sox’s Tyler Gilbert pitches during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Chicago White Sox’s Tyler Gilbert pitches during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Umpires take away Tyler Gilbert鈥檚 glove after White Sox reliever gets checked for sticky stuff
NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 Tyler Gilbert’s glove was taken away by umpires who found it too sticky when the Chicago White Sox reliever entered Thursday night’s game against the New York Yankees.
Umpire Dan Bellino holds the glove of Chicago White Sox pitcher Tyler Gilbert before he pitches during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 Tyler Gilbert’s glove was taken away by umpires who found it too sticky when the Chicago White Sox reliever entered Thursday night’s game against the New York Yankees.
With the White Sox leading 3-1 in the fifth inning, Gilbert was summoned from the bullpen to replace starter Davis Martin at Yankee Stadium.
Second base umpire Phil Cuzzi performed a routine inspection for illegal substances before Gilbert reached the pitcher’s mound. Crew chief Dan Bellino, working at third, also took a look and decided something wasn’t right.
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鈥淚鈥檝e been using that glove all year. It鈥檚 got a buildup of sweat and rosin. It鈥檚 on the palm area. And Phil thought it was something else,鈥 Gilbert told reporters following 鈥淚 don鈥檛 really know what the next step is. If they do lab results, they will just realize it was sweat and rosin buildup. Other than that, that鈥檚 all.鈥
Bellino spoke with Chicago manager Will Venable and plate umpire Clint Vondrak on the field, and Gilbert’s glove was confiscated. Venable brought out a different glove for Gilbert to use, and the left-hander was allowed to remain in the game.
鈥淚 think there was just a little bit of rosin and sweat buildup in the palm of his glove that was just a little too sticky for Dan,鈥 Venable said. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛, you know, suspect any bad intent on Gilbert鈥檚 part. ... It was just a little too sticky, so he asked for him to get a new glove, and that was pretty much it.鈥
Gilbert walked Ben Rice to load the bases and gave up a three-run double on a sharp grounder by Giancarlo Stanton that put the Yankees ahead 4-3.
That was the only hit Gilbert allowed, but the 31-year-old reliever walked three batters in 1 2/3 innings and ended up taking the loss.
A few years ago, Major League Baseball cracked down on the use of illegal sticky substances by pitchers to improve their grips on the ball.
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Since then, several pitchers have been ejected from games and suspended for breaking the rule. Gilbert, however, was permitted to pitch.
鈥淚 had to bring in another glove. I鈥檝e been using that one all year and haven鈥檛 had any issues with it. It is what it is,鈥 Gilbert said. 鈥淚鈥檝e never used that (other) one in a game. I don鈥檛 know what the next step is, but we鈥檒l find out. It was just sweat and rosin. Hopefully, I can get that back as soon as I can.鈥
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