MLB news: Yankees’ José Caballero makes history with first-ever ABS challenge
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New York Yankees shortstop José Caballero made MLB history on Wednesday: He became the first player to use the Automatic Ball Strike System (ABS).
In the fourth inning of the Yankees’ 7-0 Opening Day win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, Caballero defied home plate umpire Bill Miller’s strike call after Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb threw a sinker into the top of the zone.
Caballero, 29, tapped him on the head to initiate the challenge and object to the strike call, but lost the challenge. The Automatic Ball Striking System’s 12 Hawk-Eye cameras showed Webb’s 90.7 mph sinker was in the area.
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José Caballero (72) of the New York Yankees runs to first after hitting a one-run double in the second inning during a game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Even though he lost the fight, he had faith in his decision.
“No, I wanted to do this,” Caballero said.
Caballero thought it was a little higher than shown, but despite his unsuccessful objection, he was a fan of the ABS system.
“I think that’s really good, holding everyone accountable,” he added. “This gives us a chance to really see how good (we) are in the zone. I wish it were the other way around, I’m trying to get the reverse call but I couldn’t make it this time.”
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees. (left) and José Caballero (right) are congratulated by Austin Wells (28) for scoring on Ryan McMahon’s two-run single against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning of a baseball game on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)
Caballero’s tackle was the only tackle of the game. The Yankees were ahead 5-0 at the time of the game.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he tries to be direct in the feedback he gives players about the challenges they face.
“We’ve had a lot of dialogue about it. It’s something we’re very invested in, for sure,” Boone said. “That became one of those things where I tried to lead the offense a little bit. It ended up being another kind of late-spring meeting with all the position players and catchers, kind of going over the different players that were coming out and giving feedback on that. Throughout the spring, when I thought someone was really good or vice versa, I was very direct with them.”
“I tried to be really direct with them and their reasons,” he said. “I feel like we’re going to be good at it, that’s the expectation. I’m sure we’ll continue to improve with it.”
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New York Yankees shortstop José Caballero (72) throws the first-out ball against the San Francisco Giants in the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California on March 25, 2026. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)
Teams are given two challenges per game, but if they successfully challenge a call, they keep it. However, if the challenge fails, you lose. Thus, the Yankees faced one challenge for the rest of the game after Caballero’s failed attempt in the fourth inning.
Caballero, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a home run, drove in his first run of the 2026 MLB season with a single that scored Giancarlo Stanton in the second inning.
The Yankees (1-0) will look to continue their hot start when they face the Giants (0-1) on Friday at 4:35 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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