Summary:
Jose Caballero, the New York Yankees’ shortstop, is facing scrutiny from Major League Baseball (MLB) regarding his batting routine, which involves delaying pitches to gain an advantage. MLB has informed umpires that Caballero’s behavior constitutes deception, leading to a violation charge during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This resulted in a strikeout and the ejection of Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, contributing to the Yankees’ loss.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone remarked on his changing opinion of Caballero, stating he initially found him annoying but now appreciates his skills. This dispute has its roots in Caballero’s practice of waiting until just before the eight-second mark on the pitch clock, causing delays. In a recent game, umpire Quinn Wolcott emphasized that Caballero spends an unusual amount of time preparing, prompting enforcement action from MLB.
Boone expressed frustration over the lack of notification from MLB about this enforcement change before the game, calling it "embarrassing." Caballero defended his routine, asserting that it is a consistent part of his approach to the game and expressing concern that the new rules might give pitchers too much control over the game’s pace.
