Umpire Warns Caballero for Pitch Clock Delay Strategy

When Yankees batter José Caballero delayed looking up at Blue Jays pitcher Spencer Miles in Toronto, HP Umpire Steven Jaschinski warned New York for an illegal delay tactic, leading to widespread confusion and online outrage that one viral content creator described as the umpire creating a new rule mid-game to punish a player he found annoying.

Rather than click-bait our way to viral monetization at the expense of factuality and reason, we've waited a bit to digest the play, research the rules, and cite our sources as we analyze what exactly happened at Rogers Centre.

With none out and one on in the top of the 6th inning, Caballero stepped into the batter's box, but kept his head down as he took his preparatory stance. By doing so, Caballero might have sought to induce pitcher Miles to come set and commit a pitch clock violation for coming set before the batter was alert to (looking at) the pitcher.

When MLB first introduced its pitch clock rules in 2023 Spring Training, it prescribed three timed responsibilities: catchers had to be in the catcher's box by the timer's nine-second mark, batters had to be in the box and alert to the pitcher by eight seconds, and the pitcher had to begin their delivery prior to the expiration of time.

Shortly thereafter, pitcher Max Scherzer attempted to catch batters off-guard by coming set and immediately firing home as soon as the batter began to look up. Nary a week later, MLB issued a new rule prohibiting pitchers from coming set before the batter becomes alert.

Related Post: Is Max Scherzer's Set Position Pitch Clock Strategy Legal? (3/4/23).

Related Post: MLB's Max Scherzer Rule - Pitcher Can't Come Set Before Batter is Ready (3/12/23).

One month later, Red Sox pitcher Kenley Jansen found himself called for three Scherzer Rule pitch timer violations as HP Umpire Derek Thomas ruled that Jansen came set before Cardinals batter Willson Contreras took his position with both feet in the batter's box and became alert to the pitcher. Once again, MLB issued a memo declaring a new pitch clock policy: batters could no longer induce Scherzer Rule violations by delaying their box entry or alertness by momentarily looking at the pitcher and then looking away as the pitcher comes set. Batters would now be considered alert (and thus pitchers eligible to come set) once they placed one foot in the batter's box and upon the first moment they looked at the pitcher, even if they looked away again.

Related Post: Kenley Jansen Called for 3 Pitch Timer Violations in Boston (5/14/23).

Related Post: Pitch Clock Chaos - Introducing The Contreras Rule (5/24/23).

This new Contreras Rule explained Diamondbacks batter Josh Rojas and Phillies pitcher Craig Kimbrel's pitch clock violation duel in May 2023, culminating with a confrontation that umpires had to break up. MLB effectively declared that neither pitchers (Scherzer Rule) nor batters (Contreras Rule) could attempt to circumnavigate the pitch clock rules to try and gain an unfair advantage.

Back to the present day, when Yankees batter Caballero stepped into the box, he briefly flashed a glance at Toronto pitcher Miles before looking down and delaying his gaze at the pitcher. But because of the three-year-old Contreras Rule, HP Umpire Jaschinski warned Caballero for attempting to circumvent the pitch clock rules to gain an advantage by trying to bait the pitcher into a violation, the first infraction of which is a warning. Had Caballero committed a second Contreras Rule violation, he would have been charged a strike.

So while the Daily News declared, "Caballero did nothing wrong," that declaration happens to be devoid of accuracy.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 047 - Steven Jaschinski (1; John Schneider)

HP Umpire Steven Jaschinski ejected Blue Jays manager John Schneider (step balk call on Jeff Hoffman; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#BlueJays game. With one out and one on, Yankees batter Max Scheumann took a 1-0 slider from Blue Jays pitcher Hoffman for a called strike as Yankees baserunner R1 Jazz Chisholm stole second base. On the ensuing pitch, pitcher Hoffman faked a pickoff throw to second base, but was called for a balk by HP Umpire Jaschinski. Replays indicate pitcher Hoffman failed to step directly toward second base before feigning to that base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 8-3.

This is Steven Jaschinski (65)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(3): "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."

MLB Umpire Manual: "NOTE: The pitcher is required to step directly toward a base when feinting a

throw to a base (Under current rules, the only base a pitcher may feint to is second)"

This is the 47th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 28th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 28 Managers, 5 Coaches, 14 Players.

This is Toronto's 3rd ejection of 2026, 1st in the AL East (NYY, TB, TOR 3; BAL 2; BOS 1).

This is John Schneider's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since April 7 (Kevin Gausman; QOC = Y [Balk]).

This is Steven Jashinski's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays, 6/14/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 045-6 - Chris Conroy (2-3; SD x2)

2B Umpire Chris Conroy ejected Padres pitcher Ron Marinaccio and manager Craig Stammen (throwing at Gunnar Henderson) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Padres-#Orioles game. With two out and none on, Orioles batter Henderson took a 0-0 fastball for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Henderson in the right ribs, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 9-3. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 9-3.

These are Chris Conroy (98)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2026.

These are the 45th and 46th ejection reports of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 14th player ejection of 2026.

This is the 27th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 27 Managers, 5 Coaches, 14 Players.

This is San Diego's 2/3rd ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL West (SF, SD 3; ARI, COL, LAD 0).

This is Ron Marinaccio's first career MLB ejection.

This is Craig Stammen's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 30 (Dan Bellino; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Chris Conroy's 2/3rd ejection of 2026, 1st since June 5 (Terry Francona; QOC = Y [Replay]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs Baltimore Orioles, 6/13/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 044 - Adam Beck (2; Oliver Marmol)

HP Umpire Adam Beck ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (allowed ABS challenge overturned to ball call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Cardinals-#Twins game. With one out and none on, Twins batter Austin Martin took a 3-2 sinker from Cardinals pitcher Chris Roycroft for a called third strike, overturned to a fourth ball as the result of an ABS challenge by batter Martin. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.90, pz 2.37) and the challenge was filed timely, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, Cardinals were leading, 9-4. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 9-6.

This is Adam Beck (38)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.

This is the 44th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 26th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 26 Managers, 5 Coaches, 13 Players.

This is Chicago's 2nd ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 5; CHC, CIN 2; STL 1; MIL 0).

This is Oliver Marmol's 1st ejection since August 17, 2025 (Nic Lentz; QOC = QOCN).

This is Adam Beck's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since April 11 (Kurt Suzuki; QOC = Y [Interference]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Minnesota Twins, 6/13/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 043 - Louie Krupa (1; Craig Counsell)

HP Umpire Louie Krupa ejected Cubs manager Craig Counsell (fair ball call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Cubs-#Rockies game. With none out and one on, Cubs batter Moisés Ballesteros hit a 101 fastball from Rockies pitcher Blas Castaño on the ground to Castaño, who threw to shortstop Ezequiel Tovar to force out baserunner R1 Nico Hoerner at second base, to 1B TJ Rumfield to retire batter-runner Ballesteros. Replays indicate the batted ball made contact with Ballesteros' leg guard while Ballesteros was in the batter's box (fair/foul on the infield is not reviewable), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 6-2. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 9-3.

This is Louie Krupa (27)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

This is the 43rd ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 25th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 25 Managers, 5 Coaches, 13 Players.

This is Chicago's 2nd ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 5; CHC, CIN 2; MIL, STL 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 26 (Dan Merzel; QOC = Y [ABS Denial]).

This is Louie Krupa's first career MLB Ejection.

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Colorado Rockies, 6/11/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 042 - Jansen Visconti (1; David Popkins)

HP Umpire Jansen Visconti ejected Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins (strike one call to Vladimir Guerrero; QOCY) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Phillies-#BlueJays game. With one out and none on, Blue Jays batter Guerrero took a 0-0 changeup from Phillies pitcher Christopher Sánchez for a called first strike; batter Guerrero did not request an ABS challenge for this pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow beneath the knee (px 0.79, pz 2.22), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 5-1. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Jansen Visconti (52)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*This pitch was located 0.96 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 42nd ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 13th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 24 Managers, 5 Coaches, 13 Players.

This is Toronto's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st in the AL East (NYY, TB 3; BAL, TOR 2; BOS 1).

This is David Popkins' 1st ejection since Sept 24, 2025 (Gabe Morales; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jansen Visconti's 1st ejection since April 30, 2024 (Jazz Chisholm; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Toronto Blue Jays, 6/8/26 | Video as follows:

Did Jays' Clement Run Out of the Base Path to Avoid Henderson?

Did Blue Jays runner Ernie Clement run out of his base path to avoid Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson's tag attempt? 2B Umpire Nic Lentz didn't think so, signaling safe ruling the play legal because the runner was attempting to avoid the fielder who was fielding a batted ball. So what happened? Let's take a look.

With one out and two on (R1, R3) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Orioles-#BlueJays game, Blue Jays batter Brandon Valenzuela hit a 1-1 knuckle curve from Orioles pitcher Shane Baz on the ground to Henderson, who fielded the ball and attempted to tag Blue Jays baserunner R1 Clement before ultimately throwing the ball to first baseman Pete Alonso to retire the batter-runner as Baltimore campaigned for an out of the base path call, claiming R1 Clement ran too far to avoid Henderson's tag attempt.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1) states, "Any runner is out when they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball.  A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely."

Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz discussed the play with Lentz, who ruled that runner Clement remained legal in his circuitous route to second base, stating he did not illegally run more than three feet to avoid a tag.

After the game, Lentz acknowledged that Henderson did reach out for a tag attempt, Clement's base path was nonetheless legal: "The runner has the right to establish his basepath, and so Clement had established his basepath to avoid the fielder from potential interference."

In doing so, Lentz applied the OBR 5.09(b)(1) exception to OOB, ruling that Clement's action was "to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball."

Even though Henderson had already fielded the ball before Clement veered far to his right, the MLB Umpire Manual's interpretation of what fielding a batted ball actually is provides further context: "If, after a player has fielded a batted ball but before they are able to throw the ball, a runner hinders or impedes such fielder, the runner shall be called out for interference."

Although this MLBUM rules interp extends the act of fielding protection to after the fielder has already fielded the baseball, the fielder's act of running toward a runner with the ball and reaching an arm out in a tag attempt signifies that the fielder has achieved "able to throw the ball" status; they have simply chosen not to throw quite yet.

Whereas at first glance, the runner clearly ran more than three feet from his established base path to avoid a tag, the question thus becomes whether his action was to avoid interference with a protected fielder, which U1 Lentz ruled is precisely what it was.

Added Wendelstedt, "It actually is a very gentlemanly thing to do." He really said that.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 041 - Chris Conroy (1; Terry Francona)

HP Umpire Chris Conroy ejected Reds manager Terry Francona (Replay Review call stands decision that upheld 1B Umpire Ben May's safe [pulled foot] call on Sal Stewart; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Reds-#Cardinals game. With two out and two on, Reds batter Bryan Torres hit a 2-1 sinker from Reds pitcher Brady Singer on the ground to 2B Spencer Steer, who threw to 1B Stewart as batter-runner Torres arrived at first base, ruled safe by 1B Umpire May and upheld (call stands) after Replay Review as the result of a manager's challenge by Reds manager Francona. Replays do not clearly nor convincingly indicate whether or not fielder Stewart kept his right foot in contact with first base upon catching the ball prior to Torres' arrival, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 3-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 10-3.

This is Chris Conroy (98)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*QOC pertains to the Replay Official's "call stands" decision.

This is the 41st ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 24 Managers, 5 Coaches, 12 Players.

This is Cincinnati's 2nd ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 5; CIN 2; CHC 1; MIL, STL 0).

This is Terry Francona's 1st ejection since July 26, 2025 (Willie Traynor; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Conroy's 1st ejection since April 27, 2025 (John Schneider; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs St Louis Cardinals, 6/5/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 040 - Jordan Baker (4; Brandon Lowe)

1B Umpire Jordan Baker ejected Pirates 2B Brandon Lowe (ABS challenge denial/called strike by HP Umpire Alex Tosi; QOCN) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Twins-#Pirates game. With none out and none on, Pirates batter Lowe took a 1-1 fastball from Twins pitcher Bailey Ober for a called second strike. Lowe attempted to challenge HP Umpire Alex Tosi's strike call, but the challenge request was died. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow beneath the knee (px -0.43, pz 1.38 [sz_bot 1.56 / RAD 1.44 / MOE 1.40]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 7-7. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 10-9.

This is Jordan Baker (71)'s 4th ejection of 2026.

*This pitch was located 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 40th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 12th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 5 Coaches, 12 Players.

This is Pittsbugh's 5th ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 5; CHC, CIN 1; MIL, STL 0).

This is Brandon Lowe's first career MLB ejection.

This is Jordan Baker's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since May 15 (Derek Shelton; QOC = Y [Obstruction]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 5/30/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 039 - Dan Bellino (2; Craig Stammen)

2B Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Padres manager Craig Stammen (Replay Review 'call stands' decision/safe; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Padres-#Nationals game. With none out and the bases loaded, Nationals batter Drew Millas hit a 2-0 fastball from Padres pitcher Bradgley Rodriguez on the ground to 2B Fernando Tatis, who threw to shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who failed to catch the baseball, Nationals baserunner R1 Dylan Crews ruled safe by 2B Umpire Bellino and upheld as the result of a Manager's Challenge by Stamen. Replays do not conclusively indicate whether fielder Bogaerts' left foot touched second base prior to runner Crews' arrival, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.

*QOC refers to the 'call stands' decision by Replay HQ.

This is the 39th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 23rd manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 5 Coaches, 11 Players.

This is San Diego's 1st ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL West (SF 3; SD 1; ARI, COL, LAD 0).

This is Craig Stammen's first career MLB ejection.

This is Dan Bellino's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 25 (Don Kelly; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs Washington Nationals, 5/30/26 | Video as follows: