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CINCINNATI -- St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Julian Tavarez was suspended for 10 days Tuesday for applying a foreign substance to balls while pitching last week.

Tavarez appealed the penalty, which was set to start Tuesday night for the Cardinals-Cincinnati game. No action will be taken until a hearing is held.

"The incident that day seemed like it was a very minor thing, and I'm shocked that it would be worth 10 days," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "So, we'll let the process take care of itself, and that's all I'm going to say."

Tavarez was ejected during the opener of Friday's doubleheader against Pittsburgh after umpire crew chief Joe West inspected the pitcher's grimy hat. West said Tavarez and La Russa "as much admitted" it was pine tar on his cap.

Tavarez made a flamboyant exit, putting his arm around plate umpire Ron Kulpa and suggesting the two get a beer after the game. Tavarez tossed his cap to a fan in the stands behind the dugout as he left.

The suspension was imposed by Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball.

Tavarez was 5-3 with three saves and a 2.49 ERA in 61 games for the NL Central leaders.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press