Yankees' José Caballero targeted by MLB for crackdown on plate routine of waiting to engage pitcher - AP News

What the report says

The Associated Press reported that Major League Baseball has instructed umpires to penalize New York Yankees infielder José Caballero for a batting-box routine officials view as deceptive under pitch-clock enforcement. Caballero has been waiting until the clock is near eight seconds before looking up and engaging the pitcher, a practice MLB told umpires on Wednesday should draw violations rather than be allowed to continue.

The issue surfaced during the sixth inning of the first game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates in New York on July 22, 2026. Plate umpire Quinn Wolcott called a pitch-clock violation on Caballero while he faced Pittsburgh pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski with the Yankees behind 2-0. After a delay, Caballero struck out looking, stranding a runner. Yankees hitting coach James Rowson was ejected during the dispute, and manager Aaron Boone argued with the umpiring crew. The Yankees later lost the opener 5-3 in 10 innings.

AP reported that Caballero said he felt singled out, while Wolcott told a pool reporter the routine involved too much time looking down and not making eye contact, with the effect of trying to draw a pitcher violation. The article also noted earlier friction: Caballero was warned during a June 14 game at Toronto, and benches and bullpens cleared during Monday’s Pirates-Yankees series opener after reliever Dennis Santana objected to his pace in the box.

The decision matters because MLB’s pitch clock depends on consistent timing rules for both pitchers and hitters. The case highlights how player routines are being tested as teams and umpires interpret the limits of gamesmanship under the newer pace-of-play system.