MLB: Yankees utility man warned by umpire for 'intentionally delaying' game

Yankees utility player José Caballero found himself on the wrong side of the umpire's attention during a recent game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Home plate umpire Steven Jaschinski issued Caballero a warning for allegedly "intentionally delaying" the game. The incident occurred in the sixth inning when Caballero was batting against Blue Jays pitcher Spencer Miles.

According to reports, Caballero was deliberately taking the full eight seconds allowed by the batter's clock before stepping into the batter's box and preparing to hit. This tactic, while within the letter of the rule, prompted the umpire to issue a warning, stating that further instances would result in a called strike. The current MLB rules mandate that batters must be in the batter's box and ready to hit with eight seconds remaining on the pitch clock.

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He just said that, and then when he communicated with others via walkie-talkie, he said I was delaying the game. If I really delayed the game, then I should have been called for a strike, because I exceeded the time. Since I didn't exceed the time, they were just talking to find something to say, because the fact is not like that.

Caballero, however, expressed frustration with the umpire's call, suggesting it was unwarranted. He argued that if he had truly exceeded the time limit, a ball would have been called against him. "If I really delayed the game, then I should have been called for a strike, because I exceeded the time. Since I didn't exceed the time, they were just talking to find something to say, because the fact is not like that," Caballero stated. He also indicated a need for clearer communication with umpires regarding rule interpretations.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone defended his player's actions, characterizing Caballero as a "smart, gritty player" who strategically utilizes the existing rules. Boone mentioned having extensive discussions with MLB officials about Caballero's deliberate pace in the batter's box, emphasizing that the player was simply "using the rules as much as possible to get an advantage." The manager suggested that Caballero's approach was a form of psychological warfare, but ultimately a valid tactic within the game's framework.

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He is just using the rules as much as possible to get an advantage.