The umpires in Bauer’s start against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday collected multiple balls 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.

Yet, even if the balls Bauer threw are found to have contained foreign substances, it remains to be seen whether the league can prove he was responsible for their application, or whether any punishment imposed by commissioner Rob Manfred would stand.

Bill Shaikin
@BillShaikin
·
1h
On Bauer, source says MLBPA would challenge any discipline not covered under current rules, and whatever leaks there might be would risk undermining efforts to work cooperatively toward any rules changes.

Bauer tweeted 'lol to
@MLB
who already has “sources” talking to..bloggers'

balls from every other pitcher being taken out of play in literally every other game this season are? Also lol to @MLB who already has “sources” talking to gossip bloggers about a supposedly confidential process a week into the season thumbs up y’all keep killin it!

— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) April 9, 2021