Caballero’s delay triggers MLB pitch-clock crackdown, igniting Yankees–umpires clash
Yankees shortstop José Caballero was hit with an automatic strike for delaying the pitch clock during a 5-3 loss to the Pirates, sparking a heated exchange with umpires and manager Aaron Boone as MLB moves to stricter enforcement of the eight-second rule. Crew chief Adrian Johnson said the league instructed officials to crack down on batters trying to deceive the pitcher, following a prior benches-clearing incident; Boone said he hadn’t been warned about the enforcement change, Caballero complained of selective calls, and Yankees hitting coach James Rowson was later ejected.
