Sonny Gray investigated by MLB for sticky stuff days after Red Sox elimination

The Boston Red Sox concluded their season with a loss to the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Series. Veteran pitcher Sonny Gray started the elimination game, leading the Red Sox for several innings. Gray allowed two runs on six hits over 4.2 innings, striking out five batters without issuing a walk. However, the game took an unexpected turn when Gray was replaced after throwing 70 pitches, prompting questions about the decision.

Following his removal, the Yankees capitalized on the Red Sox bullpen's faltering, scoring six runs in the sixth inning to secure the victory. After the game, Gray expressed his desire to have been trusted during that critical moment. MLB reportedly investigated whether Gray used a prohibited sticky substance during his start, based on a visible dark spot on his neck that he appeared to touch between pitches.

Viewers speculated online about a possible violation of MLB's foreign-substance rules. However, Gray passed all standard in-game checks, and no further action was taken. Despite the disappointing end to his season, Gray had an excellent 2026 campaign, going 18-5 with a 2.72 ERA and 149 strikeouts over 169 innings as Boston's most reliable starter.