José Caballero of the Yankees is changing his approach at the plate after Major League Baseball ruled against his delay tactic with the pitch timer. The decision follows incidents in recent games against the Pirates. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the team will comply with the updated rules.
Caballero had been delaying his acknowledgment of the pitcher until close to the 8-second mark on the timer. MLB officials informed him this practice is no longer allowed.
The issue came to a head during a doubleheader on Monday and a 5-3 loss on Wednesday. Umpire Quinn Wolcott told Caballero he could not take extra time looking down, and the player received an automatic strike.
Aaron Boone said the team has spoken with MLB’s Michael Hill and will make the necessary adjustment. “At the end of the day, they decide the rules,” Boone said. “We have to try and comply with them.”
Caballero, who called himself a “baseball player” wanting to compete fairly, is set to face the new enforcement when he bats on Friday in Philadelphia.